My Name Is…And I am A Drug Addict

The feeling of motivation and independence you’ll experience the moment you utter these words will give you a high unlike any drugs you’ve tried. Believe me!

Saying these words for the first time is huge, and one of the most important milestone for drug addicts, hoping for a better, drug free life. It takes determination, motivation, and quite often the support and or intervention of family members and friends for any person to admit to drug addiction. For many, sobriety is humanly impossible to achieve and much like a dream.

The truth is, with the help of a competent rehab and medical center and a little motivation, you’ll find that sobriety is not only possible, but it can also last. Like more diseases, addiction can be managed, especially during the early stages. According to the National Institute On Drug Abuse, “most people who get into and remain in treatment stop using drugs, decrease their criminal activity, and improve their occupational, social, and psychological functioning.”

Indeed, it will require a lot of effort and hard work, but the payoff is worth the pain - probably literally – that you will have to endure. It’ll help improve your health, relationships and overall lifestyle. It is crucial, though, that you understand what to expect on your journey to sobriety. Learning what hurdles to expect along the way will not only help you to prepare you for the worst but will also improve your chances of a successful recovery. Start small – recognise you are an addict then state it: “my name is…I am a drug addict.”

Acknowledging The Problem

“I am not an addict…I can quit when I feel like.” Whenever you become aware that you are abusing a substance but you simply don’t “feel like” stopping is a valid reason why you should stop. As mentioned above, admitting to addiction isn’t easy and can be one of the most challenging steps in your recovery journey. Denial is common among drug abusers and breaking through self-deception can be a challenge.

The National Council On Alcoholism And Drug Dependence provides a quick test on their website that can help you to determine if you are a drug addict. There are also some signs that you can look out for:

● Frequent thoughts about using the drug.
● More focus on the drug that your job, family and friends
● Unable to stop using the drug freely
● Increased tolerance
● Steady increase in dosage
● Withdrawal symptoms
● And more

Now before we go any further, let’s take a look at drug withdrawal. Many people mistakenly believe that only meth, heroin or cocaine addicts experience withdrawal symptoms. However, withdrawal symptoms are common in all kind of addiction including alcohol, prescription opioids, and even tobacco. If you’re a drug addict, you can expect to experience withdrawal symptoms whenever you're due for your next fix.

After you’ve realize that you have a problem, acknowledge it head on. You don’t have to admit it to anyone around you. What’s important is that you admit it to yourself. Say it in your mirror or in your pillow – “I am a drug addict.” Once you’ve identify your problem, you can start working towards solving it.

Solving The problem

Reaching out to someone close to you for help is a sign of strength. Not weakness. Family support can be remarkable for drug addiction recovery, so try to talk to voice your problem to someone you trust, someone who will offer their support willingly. Seeing that there is still a lot of stigma surrounding drug addiction, it’s important to find someone who is non-judgmental and that you are comfortable with.

Coming clean about your addiction, even to family members, can be daunting. However, as we’ve seen at BLVD, many family members today are open to providing their loved ones with emotional support while they are enrolled at our rehab and medical center. If you are unable to obtain the support of your family, there are a number of online support groups and communities that you can join to stay motivated.  Join support groups on Facebook and other social platforms. If you’re open to accept help, you’ll find it. Stay motivated!

Once you’ve secured the support of your family (or the alternative), it’s time to find a competent rehab and medical center. The treatment facility you contact will let you know about the different treatment options available, typically inpatient and outpatient treatment. If you’re able to join an intensive outpatient program, you will be able to remain at home while attending routine counselling sessions and receiving other forms of substance abuse treatment at the rehab center. If it is recommended that you enroll in an inpatient program then you’ll need to spend 24 hours daily at the treatment facility. Inpatient treatment is generally recommended for more severe addictions but has a high recovery outcome.

Save Yourself the Trouble

Admitting to drug addiction is not easy. The substance will try to deceive you for as long as it can. It offers short-term joy and peacefulness but delivers long term chaos. It convinces you that you cannot survive without this pleasant high but slowly deteriorates your health. It promises a better life while ruining your relationship with family and friends. It takes control of your life, replacing your loved ones, job and goals.

Drug addiction is a serious, widespread disability. The only outcome that you can expect from active drug abuse is unhappiness. Some addicts are trapped in their drug-induced haze of euphoria for years – walking dead, awaken only after sniffing, snorting and injecting drugs. Others fall into a state of depression, become abusive, suicidal or die in emergency rooms from overdose. This is the fate that awaits active drug users. It’ scary, but as we all know, fear is one of the most powerful motivator.

Knowing what awaits should you continue to abuse drugs can help to nudge you in the right direction.