It can be challenging for most people addicted to substances to ask people for help. One can see that their addiction is doing lots of harm, but they do not know where to start. Sometimes, it seems easy just to continue using rather than reaching out to loved ones and letting them know you need help. Others often feel like asking for help is admitting they have lost control over their lives. However, you can be sure that if you admit your struggles to your loved ones, they will not turn you away or ignore your struggles. If you are in this predicament, here are a few ways you can ask for help.
Look For Someone You Trust
Most people have that one person or people they can open up to and talk about their challenges. If you have a go-to person, turn to them. It does not matter whether they have no personal experience with addiction. Having someone who can listen to you with compassion and zero judgment can help you make sense of the situation. In addition, talking it out makes you feel that at least someone knows what you are going through. Even if they do not have a solution immediately, they can tap into their networks and find ways to help you.
Be Honest
When you are using drugs or alcohol, you encounter a lot of manipulation and dishonesty. It can be from the people you are using it with or from within. When you ask for help, do not leave any room for dishonesty. Otherwise, you will not get the help you need. For instance, if you know that you also have a mental health condition like depression besides drug addiction, let your loved one know. Neglecting to mention one problem due to the fear of being a burden will prevent you from getting the right treatment.
Write an Email or Letter
Not everyone has the courage to speak to someone in person. If you do not want an in-person conversation, then write a letter or email a loved one. One of the advantages of writing down what you are feeling is that you get the time to collect and analyze your thoughts before writing them down. Through writing, you might even be surprised about the things you learn about yourself just by putting them on paper. Another advantage of writing an email or sending a letter is that there is no taking it back once it is done. To some point, it comes with some relief knowing that the situation is now out of your hands.
Talk to Someone That Has Experienced The Same Thing
One of the places you are sure to get good advice is from someone who has already gone through addiction struggles and has gotten help. Not only are they willing to talk to you, but they also understand your predicament. They know what it feels like to be scared of opening up about needing help. They will guide you on how you open up to your loved ones. They will also tell you about the benefits of going to a recovery center and how you can cope with the new changes. You can click here to learn about what recovery centers have to offer.
Talk to A Medical Professional
If you know you are struggling with an addiction, talk to a medical professional. Addiction is a disease, and there is no better help than one coming from a professional. Go see your doctor and tell them what has been going on. Most likely, they can refer you to where you can get professional help.
Learning how to ask for help can seem challenging at the start. However, once you do it, you will realize you have support around you and people who are concerned about your wellbeing.
If you need more information on dealing with addiction, head towards Overcoming Addiction section. We hope you get enough motivation and resources to get over the addiction.
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