Addiction Recovery Resources. Owned and operated by Lakeview Health
May 22, 2013
Using alcohol or drugs in your personal life can easily find its way into your professional life. It does for many people. The infographic below will open your eyes to the incidence of drug use at work and its impact on those who use it. Find out which professions employ the most workers getting high at work with our INFOGRAPHIC “Who’s Getting High 9 to 5.”
Addictions are often crippling. It is easy for an addiction to grow and eventually take over someone’s entire life. As a friend or family member, it can be difficult to watch someone who is struggling with an addiction. Many people who do not struggle with addiction cannot understand how truly consuming an addiction can be. Addictions often lead to alienation of others and can end marriages and other relationships. When you are facing an addiction, it is important to seek professional help in overcoming the addiction. Family members and close friends may also need to seek help to learn how to repair the rifts in a relationship that addiction causes.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms
Learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of addiction is important. You can do this in both yourself and in others. People with an addiction often become secretive. They stop spending time with other people. Sleep patterns may change and addicts may have a hard time sitting still or focusing on projects or relationships. You may notice a sudden change in weight. Additionally, you may see that friends change. An addict’s entire focus will change to accommodate the addiction. The person may also feel unwell and experience other symptoms. Finances can be affected by an addiction and the person may be focused on finding ways to get money. This is a sign in addictions from gambling to drugs to shopping.
When people think about addictions, they usually think about drug addictions or alcoholism. However, there are a wide variety of addictions that go beyond substance addictions. Each of the addictions can be just as devastating as a drug addiction, and it can be just as difficult for the person to stop. Addictions are divided into two broad categories: substance addiction and behavioral addiction. Substance addiction is when you are addicted to a substance like alcohol or drugs. Behavioral addictions consist of compulsive behaviors that take over someone’s life. These addictions can include gambling, overeating, sexual addictions, video game addiction and shopping addiction. Most of these behaviors are part of everyday life, but when they get in the way of your life, it is just one sign that you are facing an addiction.
You have made mistakes in the past; we all have. Some mistakes have impacted your life more than others, like choosing to drink and do drugs. However, when you decide to seek drug and alcohol rehab, you start a new path. Although you have made mistakes, you have to let them go and forgive yourself before it breeds negativity. After the negative thoughts appear, it’s a slippery slope back into addiction. Here are some common negative thoughts that can derail your recovery.
“I’m Not Worth Helping”
Alcohol and drugs do a lot of damage, especially to your self-esteem. You might feel like you’re not worth helping. Realize that there are people in your life who genuinely care for you and your well-being.
“There’s No Point in Going to Rehab”
Drug and alcohol rehab is proven to work and help many addicts live fulfilling lives free of alcohol and drugs. However, it’s easy to get discouraged, especially if you have tried rehab before. Many factors can affect your recovery, like bad timing or being in a treatment program that’s not a good fit for you. It’s important to remember that the lessons and skills you learn in treatment are what you need to have a long-lasting recovery.
“I Can’t Do This”
Completing drug and alcohol rehab is not easy. You might feel like you won’t get through it, but you have people around you to motivate and encourage you. Remember that you have gone through a lot and struggled with a difficult disease. Now you are trying to get better, which shows that you have more strength than you thought.
“The Others Seem to Be Better Than Me”
Everyone’s journey in treatment and recovery is different. Comparing yourself to others gets you nowhere. Focus on your own goals for treatment and work toward them. After you stop comparing your progress to other people’s, you eliminate a distraction and get closer to your goals.
“I Have to Be Perfect”
You’re bound to make mistakes; after all, you’re human. However, when you expect perfection all the time, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. The reality is that things don’t always go as planned. Black and white thinking or inflexibility is a danger to recovery. Learning from your mistakes and moving forward gets you closer to your goals for recovery.
Getting Past the Negative Thoughts
Negative thoughts can be destructive. Don’t sabotage your own progress. Identifying these thoughts and re-framing them helps you stay on track with your recovery. Remember that sobriety is a long-term goal that you must continue working on. If you still have reservations holding you back from going to rehab, call us and our addiction specialists will help you make the right decision. They have personal experience deciding to go to drug and alcohol rehab. Call 24/7 at 866-812-8231.
