Fear is an issue which inhibits an individual in their seeking help and treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. Those who have never had a substance abuse problem will find it difficult to understand. Difficulties involve admitting to a problem and the process one must go through to become sober.
Interestingly, the emotional side to the addiction is at the focal point of the treatment. An individual’s dependence on drugs or alcohol is commonly rooted in deep emotional or psychological problems. The first step to recovery can be discovering what these are and being able to find the link to addiction. In the therapy side of rehabilitation, families and loved ones are also involved.
Withdrawal symptoms
Despite the benefits of rehabilitation, a huge majority of addicts who are desperately in need of treatment from drug and alcohol dependency resist entering treatment due to fear. For instance, one fear an addict may experience is that of withdrawal and the symptoms associated with it. Withdrawal symptoms differ with each substance, with some experiencing pain in the process. For some, this may trigger fear in approaching treatment. In a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre there are professionals who are able to support those coping with withdrawal symptoms. An individual can even go through a detoxification to aid the withdrawal process. This rids the person’s body of the remainders of their chosen substance more comfortably. It is advisable for detoxification in rehab to take place as it can be very dangerous and must be carried out by experts.
Each rehab and programme is tailored to the individual and what will suit them to give them the best starting point to beat their addiction and lead a sober life. Almost every programme will include a physical and emotional element – mostly through a twelve step programme. This gives the addict as many tools as possible to be able to cope with their life post-treatment.
Admitting there is a problem with a fear in treatment
An emotion often linked to addiction and treatment is shame. The addict will feel embarrassed and humiliated by admitting that they have a problem and sharing this with others. However rehabilitation staff are mostly ex-addicts who have shared similar experiences to new patients. They are free from judgement and only wish to help. In group therapy situations, everyone is in the same position, thus unable to judge one another. All are there for one thing: to improve their lives and beat their addiction.
Seeking treatment is a huge step for anybody with addiction, although it is understandable why an individual may have fear towards it. They will soon discover that it is the best decision they could make helping them to lead a happy and sober life.