For many people, reaching out to a drug recovery center is the first step to confronting and conquering substance abuse and addiction.
Unfortunately, many people fail to reach out for help because they don’t recognize or understand the impact their addiction is having on their lives. The first step to getting help is admitting that you have a problem. In Pocatello, outpatient recovery and rehab programs at Moonlight Mountain Recovery are designed to meet you where you are and provide you with the tools you need to get better.
These are some of the signs to watch for, to help know when it’s time to talk to someone about the possibility that you need to go to alcohol or drug rehab.
Is Your Addiction Serious?
Many people fail to acknowledge just how much their use of drugs or alcohol impacts their lives. If your substance use affects your relationships or your life in any negative way, then you likely have a problem for which you need help.
It’s important to remember, however, that substance abuse exists on a spectrum. Substance abuse and addiction can range from mild to severe. The criteria used to evaluate the severity of an addiction include:
- Dangerous levels of substance use,
- Inability to control use,
- Increased tolerance,
- Desire to quit but an inability to do so,
- Life situations worsening due to use,
- Experiencing cravings,
- Loss of interest in other activities,
- Relationship issues,
- Invested excessive time obtaining a substance,
- Lack of responsibility,
- Legal troubles as a result of use, and
- Symptoms of withdrawal.
How many of these criteria you meet directly reflects how severe your addiction may be. But even those who believe they only have a mild addiction should consider seeking help before the problem worsens.
What If Others Tell You That You’re Fine?
Many addicts try to gauge the severity of their issues by asking the opinions of those around them. If you think you have a problem with substance abuse, but your friends are telling you that you’re okay, you might want to take a step back to reevaluate the situation.
Do your friends also use drugs or alcohol? If so, then they may tell you that you’re just fine because they either don’t want to lose their connection to you and the things you like to do together, or they may have to admit that they too have an issue with substance abuse.
You cannot rely on your friends to decide what is the best thing for you to do.
Your friends may also tell you that you’re just fine because they don’t know the full extent of your substance abuse. Many people with a substance abuse disorder do not share with their friends and family the full extent of their use. Consequently, even those closest to you may not recognize the extent of the problem.
It can help to be open and honest with others about your use, as you might need their support throughout your recovery.
Finally, you should also consider whether your friends and loved ones are comfortable enough to tell you that they believe you have a problem. Sometimes you simply don’t have the type of relationships that allow others to be this honest. They may worry that telling you that you have a problem will anger your or affect your relationship, making them hesitant to acknowledge it.
You can’t rely on the people in your life to gauge your substance use or abuse problem. The only reliable answer you get will come from an experienced addiction or substance abuse professional.
What If You’re Personally & Professionally Successful?
Many people assume that, if they’re successful with their job and duties to their families, they don’t have a serious problem. Unfortunately, that’s not a reliable gauge of addiction severity.
Many addicts are high functioning, either at their job, at home, or both. Not every addict’s life falls apart – at least not immediately. Many people suffering with substance abuse disorder can keep their careers and homelife going as they silently battle their addiction alone.
Many highly functioning addicts are in denial about the seriousness of their substance abuse. They feel a false sense of control because their lives appear (at least on the surface) to be normal. While it can be years before the façade of normalcy crumbles, it will very likely come crashing down eventually. That’s why it’s important to get help as early as possible.
What If You Haven’t “Hit Rock Bottom?”
What may be a mild substance abuse problem today can quickly and easily elevate and worsen. One of the most dangerous myths of addiction is that you have to hit rock bottom before you’re ready to get help. It’s important to realize that, even though you may be able to handle things in your life today, it can and does get worse for most addicts.
The disease of addiction is a progressive one. It’s also chronic. If your doctor told you that you had diabetes or hypertension, you would heed their advice and pursue treatment. Substance abuse is just like any other chronic disease – if you don’t treat it, then it will only get worse.
Waiting to get help also makes the recovery process more difficult. The earlier you can catch and treat this disease, the better. But the bottom line is that it is never too early or too late to get the help you need.
In Pocatello, the compassionate professionals at Moonlight Mountain Recovery understand how difficult it can be to come to terms with having a substance abuse problem. That’s why we help people at any point in their battle with substance abuse and addiction. Our highly personalized approach to detox, rehab and recovery can help you or a loved one overcome your challenges and enjoy a healthy, happy future.
Contact us today to speak to one of our helpful team members, to learn more about our inpatient and outpatient recovery in Pocatello.
Call Now 208-505-9990
