There are a great deal of strong people in this world. Athletes, olympians, powerful people doing amazing things each and every day. Overcoming substance use disorder is a great task. If it was something you could add to a checklist and then check off in a day, that easy, we probably wouldn’t be where we are right now. Much like the great people that accomplish great things, fighting for recovery is a constant processes that requires your focus every day. Also like an olympian or athlete; you’ll need to train yourself, train your body to function without something it has come to rely upon. Regardless of who you are, and what position you hold in your life, you are going to need resources to accomplish the goals that you set for yourself. Substance abuse help isn’t simple. You’ll need the support, resources and guidance from every angle possible to make recovery part of your daily life. Here’s 3 reasons why.
1- Your brain isn’t going to make it easy on you.
It is a constant battle to tell yourself that you don’t need a substance after you’ve abused a substance. Once you’ve developed an addiction, your brain chemistry wants to go back to the state of the chemical “high”. You have to constantly tell your brain that you aren’t really going to implode from the need of the thing that your brain is telling you that you need. You’ll think that you have a handle on it and then you’ll find yourself in some complex train of thought rationalizing or justifying a strange roundabout way to curb a craving and it is very difficult to process. Here’s the thing: you don’t have to do this to yourself. There are resources, tools, skills and methods to help get you through these moments. Educate yourself, find the support that you need and you don’t have to be stuck in the never ending brain battle.
2- It’s going to be ups and downs – a lot of them.
So, remember when you were a teenager and everything felt really, really intense? Those emotions are tied into complex brain systems and hormones that are all chemically tied into our brains. When our bodies have chemicals tell them one thing for a long time, they start to get very comfortable with that. Then your body gets used to that and it adjusts, which means that you now need more of the chemical to get the same feeling and the push and pull starts. All of this really takes a toll on your sleep cycles, emotions and the ability to manage how you maintain relationships. Bring on the drama.
3- Substance abuse help REALLY HELPS
Wild, right? Substance abuse help, helps. There are so many people that suffer in silence with mental health conditions like borderline personality disorder, anxiety, depression and addiction. What is the point? What are we so ashamed to be human? There are cycles that come around in life and trap people in these webs. Those that get stuck in the web of substance use disorder shouldn’t feel shame in their circumstance and wanting help. While some people fall hard into the cycle of addiction, there are others that get slowly dragged into the depths of dependence and in both situations there is no shame in reaching out and finding the right help. That is why there is programs, treatment, support groups, studies and evidence based research to prove that finding help is the only way to make recovery happen. Substance abuse help can get help people regain their lives.
Each individual has their own unique history riddled with hard times and confusing situations. Sometimes its just plain bad luck that leads people onto a bad road. When they realize they don’t know who they are any more and they need help, there are always options to help address the mental and emotional scars that may emerge. Clarity comes when we open up ourselves to experiences, allow others to help us find ourselves again and gain the perspective on life needed to live! If you or some one you know may be having a hard time with alcohol, drugs, prescription medications or other mental health conditions; don’t hesitate to reach out for some guidance. Some times all it takes is just a call to gain a little insight into what recovery is like. The process may be difficult, but the life afterwards is worth fighting for every day.