The progression of addiction is insidious. It is often hidden to the individual but painfully evident to those around them. The defining characteristic of addiction is continued use despite escalating harm to the individual and their loved ones. If you are asking yourself questions like, “Is my addiction bad enough that I need rehab?”, it is worth considering some of the factors that may be contributing to these thoughts.
Understanding if You Really Need Rehab
Addiction distances a person from family, values, interests, and their true character. The “ease and comfort” once provided by using drugs or drinking alcohol devolves into a profound source of shame and powerlessness, compounded by the inexplicable return to continued use or abuse. Despite these realities, contemplating a life without drugs or alcohol is often inconceivable to the using person, illustrating the baffling nature of addiction.
There might have been an event or a point where you realized that you may need help, like an overdose or a blackout. However, for many users, there has not yet been an event that has caused them to believe they need treatment. Just because you have not hit a “rock bottom” point does not mean that you don’t need help, it just means that that point hasn’t happened yet. You do not have to hit your lowest point in order to stop using. Ask yourself the three questions below to help determine if you need rehab:
3 Signs You May Need Rehab
1. You have withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking or using drugs.
Do you experience strong withdrawal symptoms when you stop using? Some examples of these uncomfortable physical and mental effects include irritability, insomnia, headaches, nausea, shakiness, paranoia, flu-like symptoms, depression, or anxiety. These symptoms can differ based on the individual and the substance(s) in question. And depending on the severity of the addiction, there may be a level of physical dependence that makes it dangerous to stop using drugs or alcohol at once. This is why it is so important to choose a treatment center with a strong detox program.
2. Family, friends or loved ones have talked to you about your drug or alcohol use.
Drugs and alcohol can cause a strain on your relationships with friends and family. Have you had arguments with your spouse or family members about finances or money related to your spending on your drug of choice? Have your friends picked up on or questioned your patterns of abuse? If your addiction has caused you to become distant from loved ones or has negatively affected your relationship with your family, it may be time to reach out for help.
3. You have already tried to quit, but you can’t.
Have you already tried quitting? Some people try to stop using drugs or alcohol by themselves, often resulting in relapse. Depending on your individual situation, there may be additional factors contributing to your addiction that are making it difficult to stop. Long-term drug use affects the brain in numerous ways, including changing the reward system, and can make quitting all at once nearly unbearable. Co-occurring conditions or dual diagnosis disorders like depression, anxiety, or PTSD could also be contributing to your use. Reputable rehab centers can treat these conditions alongside addiction.
How to Go to Rehab: Choosing the Right Program
Silver Maple Recovery offers effective, evidence-based substance abuse treatment to individuals and families in an atmosphere of compassion and respect. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol or drugs, there is hope. We offer a variety of evidence-based therapy options for our clients including:
Each of these therapies is a tool in an innovative continuum of evidence-based addiction treatment. These therapies are utilized within all levels of care which include:
Where to Get Help for Addiction
The experienced staff at Silver Maple Recovery provide support, guidance and compassion in helping to manage the fear and uncertainty that can accompany a person into entering a rehab facility. Through engagement, empathy and education, we support our clients, as well as their families, as they take bold first steps toward developing a sober lifestyle.
Reach Out to Silver Maple for Addiction Help
We understand the pain and loss that can come alongside addiction. We will walk beside you as you begin your healing journey. At Silver Maple Recovery, our clients are immersed in a therapeutic community where they can draw strength through shared experience and common goals. We believe in the power of peer support and relationship-building as critical components in motivation, engagement and recovery.
If you or a loved one is struggling under the weight of addiction to alcohol or drugs, you already know it is impossible to manage alone. Reach out to Silver Maple Recovery today at 440-830-3400 to join our recovery community.
