The Steps to Take When You’re Seeking Help with Addiction
The Steps to Take When You’re Seeking Help with Addiction
Acknowledging an addiction can be challenging, even for those who know in the back of their minds that they need help. Taking the first steps in seeking help with addiction can make it easier to begin treatment, make progress and achieve a healthier life.
Understanding the Signs of Addiction
Many individuals who have drug or alcohol addictions believe that they’re simply heavy users, or could stop at any time. For this reason, the first step in the path to recovery is often just learning more about addiction. Some of the most common signs of a drug or alcohol addiction might include the following:
- Withdrawal symptoms that occur when consumption ceases, even temporarily
- Cravings for drugs or alcohol that are overwhelming and all consuming
- Substance abuse causes relationship, career or finance problems
- Tolerance decreases, resulting in increased use or dosage
- Attempts at reduction or abstinence aren’t successful
Acknowledging an Addiction
The next step to recovery is acknowledging the addiction. This is such a simple act, but it’s a key part of the process. Once the addiction is verbalized or written down, it’s time to address it.
Decide to Make a Change
Individuals struggling with an addiction are most likely to decide to make a change and seek help with addiction right after acknowledging it.
Deciding to make a change and seek help is so important, because it eliminates the treatment gap on an individual level. The treatment gap is the enormous difference between those who need help for an addiction and those who actually receive the right treatment. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a staggering 88.8 percent of individuals struggling with addiction fall into this treatment gap every year and don’t receive the necessary treatment for recovery.
Seek Support Through a Treatment Center
The next step is seeking help for addiction at a treatment center. Checking in to an addiction treatment center is the most effective way to tackle an addiction and break free from a history of substance abuse. Recovery is made possible through a comprehensive approach that involves cognitive behavioral therapy, group sessions, medication as needed and a variety of alternative physical, nutritional and spiritual therapies. Dual diagnosis treatment is also available to address and treat any mental health issues that might play a role in addiction.
There are a range of treatment centers available. Because of this, it’s important to search for the one that meets all of your needs and provides the appropriate level of care. Some patients prefer the flexibility of outpatient programs, while others benefit most from family-based programs or residential care.
Taking these steps can be a challenge, but the end result means having support, resources and treatment that can help you achieve sobriety. Call Recovery Connection at 866-812-8231 for help finding the right center for your addiction.
