Consider this: About nine in 10 people suffering from a substance abuse disorder will never get treatment.
However, refusing to seek professional support for addiction can result in catastrophe. Alcohol abuse and drug overdose combined rob over 150,000 Americans of their lives each year.
So how do you determine whether you should reach out for addiction help? Read on to learn about 4 ways you can tell that you need to go to rehab before its too late to make a change in your life.
1. Your Loved Ones Beg You to Stop Using
Has a friend or family member ever confronted you about your drug or alcohol use?
That alone is a red flag you shouldn’t ignore. The people closest to you can detect subtle behavioral changes that nobody else can. They also wouldn’t be willing to risk their relationship with you for no reason.
Let’s say you managed to convince your loved one (and yourself) that you don’t have a substance abuse issue. Did you have to lie about your habits to accomplish this?
Consider the fact that you wouldn’t have to cover up any of your behavior unless there was something you wanted to hide. So ask yourself this: What am I hiding?
2. You Begin to Ignore Your Responsibilities
Did you know there’s a connection between addiction and job loss? Unemployed adults are twice as likely to use illicit drugs as full-time workers.
Substance abuse can cause you to show up late or call in sick more often, and it could impair your drive and focus. After a certain point, your employer may have no choice but to fire you.
When your substance of choice becomes your main focus in life, and it starts to affect your career, seek addiction help. Talk to your HR rep about getting a leave of absence, and explore your treatment options.
3. You Develop Health Issues
Each year, there are 2.5 million potential years of life lost from premature deaths due to alcohol abuse in the US.
If you’re an alcoholic, car crashes and alcohol poisoning aren’t the only threats to your well-being. Excessive drinking increases your chances of developing everything from heart disease to mental health issues that can lead to suicide.
Listen to your body and look for changes in your physical or mental health. That said, keep in mind that attempting to quit on your own can lead to life-threatening health complications too.
4. You Can’t Quit on Your Own
Anywhere between 40% and 60% of substance abusers relapse after receiving treatment.
Do you have a full-time team of doctors, nurses, and therapists working to fight your addiction? Of course not. Therefore, you can expect an even tougher challenge.
Maybe you’ve already learned this the hard way and experienced failure. Perhaps you don’t even know how to take the first step toward long-term abstinence.
Either way, the professionals at a rehab center can help you deal with withdrawal and assist you in tackling any underlying issues. While many treatment programs still rely on the 12-step process, you can also learn more about a customized approach to recovery.
Final Thoughts on Getting Addiction Help
If your closest friends and family members tell you that you have a problem, don’t wait until you lose your job or end up in the hospital to get addiction help. The longer you delay rehab, the more irreparable damage you cause to your health and relationships.
Are you ready to begin your healing journey? Visit the health section of our blog to learn how to take better care of your body.
