- Nov 2
- Addiction
Substance use can have a significant negative impact on your life. While older adults are the least likely to ask for help, it can be a difficult step for anyone struggling with addiction.
If you have not been able to stop using drugs or alcohol on your own, you’re not the only one. It’s never too late to seek treatment. This guide will advise you on how to ask for addiction help.
Acknowledging the Problem
As cliche as it might sound, recognizing the problem is the first part of how to ask for help for substance or alcohol use disorder. You may have been hiding and lying about your addiction for so long that even you struggle to acknowledge its severity.
If you are asking for help, this is the time to start being honest. Acknowledge that your substance use is a problem, and be honest with both yourself and others about how you are struggling and how you want to move forward.
It Takes Courage to Ask for Help
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, In fact, asking for addiction help takes courage. We need strength and humility to open up to others and request support. Further, there is power in numbers, and you are more likely to be successful in your recovery when you have support from others.
It takes courage to overcome your pride so you can find help. The negative stigma associated with addiction is lessening as society is now more understanding of addiction as a disease, which means you do not have to be embarrassed about admitting to your suffering.
People Do Care
Addiction can have a negative impact on your self-worth. You may begin to believe that you are not worth caring about. However, there are likely more people who are concerned about your wellbeing than you realize.
Further, the disease does not affect you alone. Many people in your life have likely been affected by your addiction, and they will want to support you in your path to recovery. When you decide to make a change for the better, you will receive support and love from the people who care about you.
People Are Often Willing to Help
Those asking for help may believe that their loved ones are unaware of their substance use or that their loved ones are simply too tired of their behavior to be willing to offer support. Despite what you may be assuming, the truth is that people are often willing to help loved ones who are dealing with addiction.
They may even know more about your substance use problems than you realize. Your loved ones may have been silent up to this point because they were unsure how to broach the topic. When you ask for help, they will be eager to support you.
Taking the Next Steps
If you are suffering from drug addiction, ask for help as soon as possible. Our team of professionals at Gateway Foundation assists people of all ages on the path to addiction recovery. Contact us today to get the care you need.
