Addiction to alcohol or other drugs – or even addictive behaviors like gambling or sex – is widely stigmatized and misunderstood.
The way we behave while we’re in active addiction is hard for family members and friends to witness, and often they don’t understand why we can’t ‘just stop’ our self destructive habits.
That’s why the programs like the residential rehab at Miracles Asia exist.
People suffering with addiction need hands-on assistance to stop and stay clean or sober because of the compulsive nature of the disease.
Trying to stop on your own often is a 'best effort' approach, but unfortunately leads to a relapse and continuation of the same cycles.
There’s no shame in asking for help to overcome addiction. So let's explore how to ask for help with addiction and some of the barriers that may be holding you back.
The way we behave while we’re in active addiction is hard for family members and friends to witness, and often they don’t understand why we can’t ‘just stop’ our self destructive habits.
That’s why the programs like the residential rehab at Miracles Asia exist.
People suffering with addiction need hands-on assistance to stop and stay clean or sober because of the compulsive nature of the disease.
Trying to stop on your own often is a 'best effort' approach, but unfortunately leads to a relapse and continuation of the same cycles.
There’s no shame in asking for help to overcome addiction. So let's explore how to ask for help with addiction and some of the barriers that may be holding you back.
Key Takeaways
Denial - A Roadblock to Getting Help
Behavioral, alcohol or drug addiction is a serious problem that can lead to a downward spiral of physical and mental health issues. It takes courage to admit that you have a problem and to seek treatment.
However, denial is a common barrier to getting help. Denial can be rooted in many different things, such as fear, shame, or simply not wanting to face the reality of the situation.
There are several warning signs that someone is in denial about their addiction:
However, denial is a common barrier to getting help. Denial can be rooted in many different things, such as fear, shame, or simply not wanting to face the reality of the situation.
There are several warning signs that someone is in denial about their addiction:
Minimizing the problem
Addicts will often downplay their use of drugs or alcohol or deny that their substance abuse is a problem. They may claim that they can stop using anytime they want or that their drinking or drug use is not as bad as other people's.
Addicts will often downplay their use of drugs or alcohol or deny that their substance abuse is a problem. They may claim that they can stop using anytime they want or that their drinking or drug use is not as bad as other people's.
Blaming others
Someone with a substance abuse disorder may blame their family, friends, or co-workers for their addiction. They may say that they would not be addicted if it were not for the stress in their life or if someone had just helped them more.
Someone with a substance abuse disorder may blame their family, friends, or co-workers for their addiction. They may say that they would not be addicted if it were not for the stress in their life or if someone had just helped them more.
Making excuses
They will often make excuses for their behavior, such as saying they only use drugs when they are angry or upset. They may also claim that they need to drink or use drugs in order to cope with their problems.
They will often make excuses for their behavior, such as saying they only use drugs when they are angry or upset. They may also claim that they need to drink or use drugs in order to cope with their problems.
Denying the consequences
Some addicts will deny that their substance is having consequences on their life. They'll claim that they can handle their drinking or drug use and it is not affecting their life in a negative way.
Some addicts will deny that their substance is having consequences on their life. They'll claim that they can handle their drinking or drug use and it is not affecting their life in a negative way.
But, no matter what the reason, denial prevents people from getting the help they need to recover from a substance use disorder or addiction.
If you are struggling with substance abuse, it is essential to overcome denial and seek treatment. There are many resources available to help you on the road to recovery and a sober lifestyle.
Building a support system is crucial for anyone in recovery, but it can be especially helpful for those in early recovery who are working to overcome denial. Having a strong support system can provide motivation, accountability, and encouragement.
If you are struggling with substance abuse, it is essential to overcome denial and seek treatment. There are many resources available to help you on the road to recovery and a sober lifestyle.
Building a support system is crucial for anyone in recovery, but it can be especially helpful for those in early recovery who are working to overcome denial. Having a strong support system can provide motivation, accountability, and encouragement.
How Addiction Stops People From Asking For Help
Addiction is a vicious cycle. The behaviors associated with substance abuse become so ingrained that they begin to feel normal, and any attempt to break free from those behaviors is met with intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
As a result, people who are struggling with addiction often convince themselves that they can quit on their own without any help. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case.
Additionally, addiction can cause people to become isolated from their loved ones and support systems. This isolation can make it difficult for people to reach out for help, even if they want to.
Addiction can lead to changes in a person's mood and motivation, making them more likely to avoid activities that could help them recover, such as attending therapy or participating in self-help groups.
As a result, addiction often prevents people from seeking the help they need to overcome their disease.
Instead, they may continue to struggle with drug or alcohol abuse, feeling helpless and alone. Asking for help is often the first and most difficult step in overcoming addiction
As a result, people who are struggling with addiction often convince themselves that they can quit on their own without any help. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case.
Additionally, addiction can cause people to become isolated from their loved ones and support systems. This isolation can make it difficult for people to reach out for help, even if they want to.
Addiction can lead to changes in a person's mood and motivation, making them more likely to avoid activities that could help them recover, such as attending therapy or participating in self-help groups.
As a result, addiction often prevents people from seeking the help they need to overcome their disease.
Instead, they may continue to struggle with drug or alcohol abuse, feeling helpless and alone. Asking for help is often the first and most difficult step in overcoming addiction
5 Ways to Ask for Help
One of the hardest things for a person struggling with a drug problem to do is ask for help.
Sometimes it just seems easier to just keep on using, right?
You probably know you need help but aren’t sure how to ask for it, even though you’re miserable and are sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Here are 5 simple ways you can ask for help with your addiction:
Sometimes it just seems easier to just keep on using, right?
You probably know you need help but aren’t sure how to ask for it, even though you’re miserable and are sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Here are 5 simple ways you can ask for help with your addiction:
Write a Letter or an Email
Writing is sometimes easier than saying it out loud, especially when it’s about asking for help. There is something about writing that helps you to organize your thoughts in a way that makes sense.
Doing this, you may even begin to understand more about yourself and your struggles by writing them down.
Always remember that after you hit send, there’s no going back. You’ve made the decision to ask for help, and there’s usually, there will be some relief in that.
Writing is sometimes easier than saying it out loud, especially when it’s about asking for help. There is something about writing that helps you to organize your thoughts in a way that makes sense.
Doing this, you may even begin to understand more about yourself and your struggles by writing them down.
Always remember that after you hit send, there’s no going back. You’ve made the decision to ask for help, and there’s usually, there will be some relief in that.
Talk to Someone You Trust
Hopefully, you have someone in your life who you can talk to about anything, such as a close family member or close friend, even if they have no experience with drug addiction. Maybe you need someone to listen so you can work out what’s going on yourself and whether you think you might need drug rehab.
Hopefully, you have someone in your life who you can talk to about anything, such as a close family member or close friend, even if they have no experience with drug addiction. Maybe you need someone to listen so you can work out what’s going on yourself and whether you think you might need drug rehab.
Talk to Someone Who Has Had the Same Experience
If you know someone who has been through what you’re experiencing, they will know what to do, especially if they’ve found help themselves. Find out what worked for them and figure out if the same thing would work for you.
You might find someone at a 12-Step meeting, like Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous, who is in recovery and will take time to talk with you about their experience of addiction rehab.
If you know someone who has been through what you’re experiencing, they will know what to do, especially if they’ve found help themselves. Find out what worked for them and figure out if the same thing would work for you.
You might find someone at a 12-Step meeting, like Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous, who is in recovery and will take time to talk with you about their experience of addiction rehab.
Talk to Someone Online or by Phone
The internet has so much information on drug addiction and how to get help. This includes websites for drug rehabs, helpline numbers, support groups, and chat rooms.
A quick search will give you many options from the anonymity of your computer. It’s sometimes helpful to talk to a stranger before talking to a family member or friend if you're concerned about any reactions or judgements.
The internet has so much information on drug addiction and how to get help. This includes websites for drug rehabs, helpline numbers, support groups, and chat rooms.
A quick search will give you many options from the anonymity of your computer. It’s sometimes helpful to talk to a stranger before talking to a family member or friend if you're concerned about any reactions or judgements.
Benefits of Asking for Help
If you are able to make an effort and ask for help, chances are you will feel like a huge weight has been lifted and that you have taken steps in the right direction. One of the behavioral aspects of addiction is carrying on using or drinking or behaving compulsively when we know the addiction interferes with achieving our goals.
We might say to ourselves, ‘I know I’ve got a problem, but I just can’t stop.’ Even though your life might be out of control and things have begun to spiral downwards rapidly, it’s impossible to stop. Drug or alcohol addiction is a disease, not a disgrace, and asking for help is the first step. Admitting you have a problem can feel like an immense relief.
We might say to ourselves, ‘I know I’ve got a problem, but I just can’t stop.’ Even though your life might be out of control and things have begun to spiral downwards rapidly, it’s impossible to stop. Drug or alcohol addiction is a disease, not a disgrace, and asking for help is the first step. Admitting you have a problem can feel like an immense relief.
What Happens They Say No?
Asking for help with addiction can be a difficult and scary process. You may be worried that the person you ask will say no, or that they won't understand what you're going through.
However, it's important to remember that asking for help is a brave and positive step. If the person you've asked for help says no, there are plently of options available.
Most importantly, don't take it personally as the person you reached out to might not feel equipped with the knowledge or resources to help you properly. It is okay to reach out to multiple people before you find someone who can provide the support you need.
There are also many professional resources available to help you with addiction, such as therapists, counselors, and rehabilitation programs. These professionals can provide the guidance and support you need to overcome addiction and will always say yes
However, it's important to remember that asking for help is a brave and positive step. If the person you've asked for help says no, there are plently of options available.
Most importantly, don't take it personally as the person you reached out to might not feel equipped with the knowledge or resources to help you properly. It is okay to reach out to multiple people before you find someone who can provide the support you need.
There are also many professional resources available to help you with addiction, such as therapists, counselors, and rehabilitation programs. These professionals can provide the guidance and support you need to overcome addiction and will always say yes
How Miracles Asia Can Help
Rehab can be expensive, and it's hard to know if you're making the right choice.
Most people only have one shot at rehab, so it's important to make the right decision. But, with so many options available, how can you be sure you're picking the best one?
At Miracles Asia, we offer our guests their best chance for a successful recovery with our Residential Rehab program that's available in 30, 60 or 90 day options.
Most people only have one shot at rehab, so it's important to make the right decision. But, with so many options available, how can you be sure you're picking the best one?
At Miracles Asia, we offer our guests their best chance for a successful recovery with our Residential Rehab program that's available in 30, 60 or 90 day options.
We only accept 15 guests at any time in order to ensure each person receives individualized attention. Our western therapists are fully qualified and have decades of combined experience with helping people recover from addiction.
If you are struggling with addiction and don't have anyone to speak to, you can always reach out to our Admissions Team for a completely free, and confidential chat about your current situation.
If you are struggling with addiction and don't have anyone to speak to, you can always reach out to our Admissions Team for a completely free, and confidential chat about your current situation.
