Do you need rehab? Deciding whether or not you need drug addiction treatment is not an easy decision; it might be the hardest choice you ever make.
It wasn’t until I hit my ultimate low that I knew I needed help. My addiction had escalated into a wild animal I could no longer tame or control. It was wreaking havoc and destroying precious parts of my life. I refused to stand silently by and watch my life crumble into a million pieces. In my heart, deep down inside, I had known for months that I needed rehab, but I was scared to admit it. Honestly evaluating my actions helped me open my eyes to the painful truth. If you abuse a drug, have an addiction, or suffer from dependency, you might need rehab to help guide you on your path to a clean life.
Addiction
If you have an addiction, and have tried to quit without success, then you will need professional rehab programs. A drug addiction is when you compulsively use a drug and feel as though you no longer have control over it. You more than crave it, you live it. The drug slowly intertwines itself into your life routine until it feels natural – as normal as drinking a cup of coffee with breakfast.
Problems Related to an Addiction
In the beginning of my addiction, I blamed the world for my problems. I struggled to face the truth that my life was being directly impacted by drugs. If you are fighting to hold a job or were fired from constant absences and behaviors caused from an addiction, then rehab can help you get back on your feet. If relationships – whether romantic, platonic, or familial – are falling apart as a result of your poor choices, then rehab is a strong option in repairing the damage. Once a substance begins taking over your life by controlling your finances, career, and relationships, then it is time to get help and get your life back. Addictions like to let you think you are in control, and while you might feel in control, you can only manage it for so long. It might take months or even years, but addictions always win and addiction related problems will shine through. I can promise you that. Rehab is a great way to tackle your addiction and begin fixing the damage it caused.
Abuse
Abusing a substance is when you use it for recreational or emotional needs. When life gets tough, people seek out a drug to calm and comfort them. While a few people can use and still have control over their lives, many abuse the drug they are already addicted to. This combination can be deadly when a substance is needed at the moment life gets stressful or overwhelming. You will need rehab if you abuse a substance and are experiencing addiction symptoms.
Dependency
If you at any point begin experiencing dependency, then rehab is a must. Dependency is when the body physically needs a substance to function. If the substance is not taken, the body begins suffering from opioid withdrawal symptoms that are physically and mentally painful. You are then forced to use the drug so the pain will subside. Once dependency has been developed, it is almost impossible to quit using on your own. Seeking help is hard, but it is amazing what you can accomplish with an entire support team behind you. If you are even questioning whether you need rehab, then I highly suggest getting help. It won’t ruin your life getting help to stop using, but it can ruin your life if you don’t.
By Michelle Conway
Photo by: Sabine Mondestin (Flickr)