Recovering from a drug addiction is a long road, and admitting you need help is the first step. You should know you’re not alone.
It can be extremely emotional to open up to your loved ones about your addiction. Feelings of shame, embarrassment, and defeat often accompany the realization that you need help. Ultimately your family and friends want to support you, and their support will be a huge help as you work your way to recovery.
Be Open and Honest
A drug addiction can lead you to behave in ways that go against your normal behavior. It can cause you to want to lie and deceive those around you, or it might even leave you feeling confused and unsure if you have a problem at all.
The best thing you can do is just be open and honest, and tell your friends and family everything that you do know about your addiction. It’s possible they already know some of your situation, but it’s important for them to understand the extent of the problem so they can work with you to kick the habit for good.
Finding the right words can be hard. Start with something direct and simple, like “I need you to know that I’m struggling with an addiction and I need to get help.” Those words aren’t easy to say or to hear, but they’ll give you a place to start so you can move forward with a support system in place.
Learn or Share What Help Means For You
Your loved ones will probably have questions. Be prepared to discuss your need and desire for help, as well as what options are out there. Maybe you’ve already researched treatment centers and recovery programs. If you have, talk about these options with your family and they can help you decide which might be best for you. It’s ok if you haven’t. Ask friends or family to help you research what help is available. Here are some of the treatment options you might find:
- Inpatient Rehab – As an inpatient treatment at a rehab center, you live at the center and are cared for day and night. These facilities typically offer services for detox and aftercare, and are best for severe addictions.
- Partial Hospitalization Programs – These programs operate several hours a day, 3-5 days a week. Individuals working on their addiction in this setting participate in these treatment sessions and then return home during non-class hours. You’ll still spend a lot of time working on your recovery, but not as much as inpatient care.
- Outpatient Treatment – If you’re in the early days of your addiction, have already received inpatient treatment, or are concerned about a relapse, then outpatient treatment might work well for you. This treatment option provides the lowest level of care, but some places offer an intensive outpatient treatment that provides more hours in counselling and therapy.
Find a Support System
Every family is different, and some may not react well to learning about an addiction. If you’re worried your family will react poorly and won’t be able to provide the support you need, it’s ok to reach out to friends or a relative that will be supportive. No support circle will look the same, so fill yours with people that will be there for you when you need them.
Steps Recovery Center Is Here
At Steps Recovery Centers we know that facing a drug addiction can be overwhelming. That’s why we are here to help you and your loved ones work your way toward recovery. Our holistic recovery centers are located across the state of Utah, from St. George to Salt Lake City. Contact us today for more information.
