About half of the people who recover from drug or alcohol addiction do so with some sort of formal treatment program. Of those who manage it on their own, most still seek some type of support, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or other meetings. While it is possible to successfully go it alone, there are a variety of reasons why this can be dangerous and eventually lead to relapse.
One of the reasons a monitored treatment program is important is because of the dangers of withdrawal. It’s not only a painful process, but it can be a life-threatening one. Heroin, for example, has severe withdrawal symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting, muscle and bone pain, and insomnia. With benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Valium, and Ativan, withdrawal symptoms such as paranoia and heart palpitations can even last for years. Instead of facing these symptoms alone, a medically supervised detox program will allow a doctor to set up a schedule to slowly taper off use. They may also prescribe other medications to dull the worst of the symptoms.
People with underlying mental illnesses are unlikely to succeed in recovery without help. Willpower might be enough for some people to stop drinking or using drugs, but it can’t overcome anxiety or depression. In a treatment center with the proper staff, both mental and physical issues can be addressed at once.
What are some of the reasons why a person wouldn’t seek help? The easiest answer is denial. Addicts frequently blame other people for their problems. For instance, if you lose your job for drug-related reasons, you might argue that it’s the employer’s fault for causing you too much stress. One study of over 20 million people who had experienced negative consequences due to addiction – unemployment, lost custody, poor health, etc. – found that 96 percent met the criteria for addiction but didn’t realize it.
Confidence, or self-efficacy, can also play a role. If someone’s self-efficacy is low, they will not believe it possible to achieve a task. A lack of faith in their ability to get sober can keep them from seeking treatment. It is possible to increase someone’s self-efficacy if they see other people meeting their goals and getting sober, which is another reason treatment including group therapy and 12-step meetings is important.
Some people believe that they have to hit rock bottom before they can get help. The truth is, you don’t have to lose everything to hit that point. Some people realize they need help fairly early on. Some other possible reasons for avoiding treatment are fear of the unknown, previous failed attempts at recovery,
fear of losing friends, and fear of losing one’s identity. Some people are also under the misconception that treatment requires changing every part of themselves, like an atheist having to find God.
The unfortunate truth is that some people are never going to seek help. There are still some things that can be done to at least make them a little safer and healthier, even if they don’t completely stop their substance use. For example, there are education programs that teach safer drinking practices, methadone maintenance programs, needle exchange programs for IV drug users, and safe places where people can inject drugs.
If you or a loved one need help to quit drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504.
