When suffering from a drug or alcohol problem, it is difficult to admit that it is an issue, and causing other parts of your life to deteriorate. When you notice this, it is time to review the situation and potentially come to terms with how you are struggling with addiction. Once you understand this, you will already have taken the first step towards recovery. The next is to figure out how you will get sober, for some people rehab is the only option.
Understanding How Severe Your Addiction Is
If you find that the substance you are addicted to is negatively affecting your life and your relationships, then you most likely have an addiction. Your level of addiction can be diagnosed on a spectrum, being mild, moderate or severe. The criteria used to determine this includes:
Your lack of control
If you want to quit but cannot
Spending lots of time trying to get the substance
Your cravings
Affect on your responsibilities
Issues with relationships
Dangerous levels of use
Worsening situations
Tolerance to the substance
Withdrawal
The severity of your addiction will be determined by how many of these criteria you meet. For example, if a couple of them apply to your struggle, then you would be considered as having a mild addiction. However, having addiction at any level would require help.
“My friends are telling me I’m fine and I don't have a problem”
When this is the case, you need to be asking yourself a few questions:
Do your friends also take drugs or drink lots of alcohol?
If yes, you should take what they’re saying with a pinch of salt. They may be saying this as they don’t want to lose a party friend. They may even have a problem with substances themselves. If they are a proper friend they will help you to realise.
Have you been hiding it from them?
You might have managed to conceal this part of your life from your friends well enough for them not to notice. If this is the first time they are hearing about your struggle, they may not be able to imagine how it could be true. Be open and honest and they can support you.
Will you feel uncomfortable telling your friends you have a substance issue?
If you don’t have the type of friends where you can be honest about your problems, it can be hard for them to approach you about it. They might be scared that they will ruin their friendship with you if they bring it up.
If you want to get sober, getting rehab treatment is your best option. Quitting on your own will not resolve the psychological issues.
Comments
Post a Comment