Seeking Drug Addiction Help Is Nothing to Be Embarrassed About
There are many factors that play into someone avoiding seeking drug addiction help. They may not be ready to admit that they have a problem, they may think they can take care of their addiction themselves, or they may be avoiding treatment because seeking it means that they have to be “outed” as an addict.
At Adult & Teen Challenge USA, we have seen so many men, women, teen girls and boys who are hesitant to engage with our drug addiction help programs. And slowly, once they’ve entered our program, we see them take charge of their situations. They begin to pursue their recovery with a renewed energy and fervor, the kind that can only come from recognizing God’s plan for their lives.
Many of our recovered addicts will tell you that seeking drug addiction help takes courage and is not something to be embarrassed about at all. Here we discuss 3 reasons that people avoid treatment and offer our perspective on them.
Fear of Embarrassment
Addicts who may realize that they have a problem but are not ready to seek treatment often think that they can take their recovery into their own hands. They think they can reduce their substance use, replace one substance with something they perceive as less harmful, or they may try to use less frequently. But so long as they continue to engage with the behavior, it will continue to have a hold on their lives. Seeking drug addiction help means that a person has to admit that they can’t handle it on their own, which some see as an admission of weakness.
But we don’t see it that way. Addiction is far stronger than any one person’s willpower. It promises things that will never come. To seek drug addiction help is to leave your ego aside and welcome the help of others. Addiction harms so many more people than the addict, and it takes a community, including the addict, to fight it.
Fear of Judgement
Many addicts are also afraid to stand in front of others and identify themselves as an addict. They fear that others will judge them or think that they are weak. And while it’s true that some people may actually judge you, it is also true that they are being unfair. To seek drug addiction help and admit you are an addict means shrugging off the judgments of others. This takes great strength, and once our participants realize this, their recovery accelerates.
Fear of Recovery
Other addicts know that once they begin the recovery process, they are going to enter into withdrawals. And withdrawals aren’t just a few days of feeling ill or losing some sleep. Addictions hack into the brain’s chemistry. It replaces the things that made you feel good. When you stop engaging with substance abuse, it is likely you may enter a period of depression or anxiety.
This is a natural part of the process, and it is what makes having a loving and supportive community around you so crucial. We surround all of our students with mentors, peers, and the love of Jesus Christ to show them that they will be alright.
