The path from addiction to treatment is never straight. It often goes in fits and starts. Typically, someone won’t even acknowledge a problem for a long time. Then, she may acknowledge it but find reasons she doesn’t need help. Most people are never totally ready for treatment, but they often succeed anyway. Here are some common excuses people give for putting off treatment even if they think they might need it.
I can do it on my own.
Many people think they can quit drugs and alcohol on their own. Some can, but most people find it much harder than they expect. Detox can be painful and even dangerous and most people with addictions have co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or others that are at the root of the addiction and need specialized treatment. It’s tempting to think you can quit on your own and avoid the effort and commitment of entering treatment, but most people need some kind of help.
Now’s not a good time.
One of the most common excuses is when people acknowledge they need help for addiction, but now is just a really bad time. They have too much going on. They’re busy at work, they have family responsibilities, and so on. In reality, there’s never a perfect time to take months out of your life and get treatment for addiction. There’s always some reason to do it later. However, the longer you live with addiction, the harder it is to beat. Although it feels inconvenient now, it won’t be more convenient later.
I can’t leave the kids.
Needing to have someone take care of your kids always adds and extra challenge and it’s one that tends to affect women more than men. No one wants to leave her kids, but often the best thing you can do for your kids is get treatment for addiction. Children of people with substance use disorders have a higher risk of developing addiction themselves and one of the best ways to reduce that risk is to get treatment. If you can’t find someone you trust to take care of your kids while you’re in treatment, consider an intensive outpatient program that will allow you to still live at home.
I might lose my job.
A major subcategory of “not a good time” is fear of losing your job. The Family Medical Leave Act protects your job if you have to take time out for addiction treatment. And employers often prefer their employees to seek treatment that will improve their work rather than having to restaff the position. It’s true that taking time off may cost you some opportunities, but in the long run, getting treatment is a better career decision.
Treatment is too expensive.
In recent years, treatment has gotten much easier to afford. Most insurers will cover most or all of addiction treatment and most quality treatment centers take several forms of insurance. The federal government has also recently made changes that make it easier to pay for treatment through programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Treatment centers typically will work with you to find a way to pay for treatment.
Arbor Behavioral Healthcare offers an integrative and holistic approach to treat substance abuse and a wide variety of addictions, as well as underlying mental health and psychological issues. All of the addiction recovery programs offered by The Arbor are designed to heal the mind, body, and spirit leading to a lifetime of sobriety, health and wellness. If you’re ready to find healing and restoration in a peaceful, loving environment, please call us today at 844-560-7269.