Many of us will find ourselves, throughout our addiction journeys, experiencing a chapter of that journey where we question whether or not we even have an addiction. For many of us, the confusion and overwhelm we feel can be the result of years of denial. We may have convinced ourselves that we don’t have a problem. Time and time again, we tell ourselves that we can quit whenever we want. We tell ourselves that addiction is too strong a word for what we’re experiencing; we might have a problem, but not a full-blown addiction.
Denial: Not Wanting to Believe We Have an Addiction
For many of us, our denial is what’s keeping us from getting help. Our denial and our lack of awareness about addiction can greatly factor into whether or not we seek out treatment. Admitting we have a problem is one of the bravest things we’ll ever do and is the first step toward recovery. To move through the very common phase of denial and to take the steps necessary to get help, we can look at some of the telltale signs of addiction. We can strive to be honest with ourselves and identify which examples might be true. If they are indeed a part of our experience, we may be struggling with addiction. Let this be our sign that it’s finally time to get the help we need.
Feeling Powerless to Quit: A Classic Emotion When We Have an Addiction
Have you tried to quit several times but felt hopeless after multiple failed attempts? This is a classic cycle for those of us experiencing addiction. We feel a strong determination to get sober, a sense of conviction that is often fueled by feelings of desperation. We’re desperate to get sober but then find ourselves unable to.
If you’re finding your alcohol or drug use to be problematic and have repeatedly tried to quit but have been unable to. If you’re experiencing one of the very common patterns associated with addiction. You might feel powerless, as though your substance use is totally out of your control. Recurring feelings of powerlessness, hopelessness, desperation, disappointment, and regret when trying to quit are all strong indicators of addiction.
Refusing Help: A Common Behavior When We Have an Addiction
Have you repeatedly told yourself that you can easily stop using on your own and that you don’t need help? Many of us are in deep denial that we not only have an addiction but also that we’ll need support to get better. We often try to tackle this lofty endeavor of sobriety completely on our own. Many will also assume incorrectly that we can quit quickly and easily. We’re afraid to confront our problem head-on. Recovery demands hard work, and that can be daunting for us. We avoid addressing we have a problem, and we’re resistant to doing the work. Very often, we refuse help when it’s offered to us.
Over time, many of us will discover that we simply can’t do it alone. We need help and support to get better. Furthermore, recovery is not a quick fix. It’s a lifelong healing journey. Many of us can’t just quit cold turkey and never use again. We’ll need a support system backing us as we do the ongoing work required to recover. The guidance and expertise of a professional team, such as that of Athens Area Commencement Center, can be the support system we need as we confront the many recovery demands.
Chances are, if you’re afraid of asking for help, you’re also afraid of admitting you have a problem, and these fears are universal to the addiction experience.
Using Force and Willpower to Quit: A Misconception When We Have an Addiction
Have you told yourself you need to summon more willpower to quit? Maybe you’ve tried, unsuccessfully, to force yourself to quit in different ways. When questioning whether or not we have an addiction, many of us will try to convince ourselves that we just need more willpower. We just need to force ourselves to be strong, and then we’ll be able to stop.
As many of us in recovery discover, sheer willpower is simply not enough. True recovery involves accepting that we do have an addiction and that we need help. Lasting recovery means committing to doing the work every day. It’s not a matter of exerting our willpower, forcing ourselves to quit, and magically, the hard part is over. Recovery requires time, dedication, and perseverance. If you’re hesitant to put in the work, you very well might be experiencing the resistance that is so common in addiction.
Normal Emotions and Behaviors When We Have an Addiction
Does your substance use cause feelings of guilt and shame? After using, do you feel overwhelmed by regret? Do you lie to loved ones to conceal or downplay your problem? These emotional and behavioral patterns are characteristic of addiction. We’ll often hide the truth from the people around us. Admitting to others and ourselves that we have a problem can be terrifying. Many of us aren’t quite ready to get sober and give up our drug of choice, so we conceal our use as much as we can.
All of these examples are normal, natural, and quite common when it comes to addiction. Most importantly, they are nothing to be ashamed of. Treatment centers like Athens Area Commencement Center offer nonjudgmental support. Many centers have staff who themselves have successfully recovered from addiction. We can understand, relate to, and empathize with what you’re going through. You can shift out of denial and into a place of peace with the help and support you deserve.
Denial and resistance can keep us from getting the help we need. Many of us don’t want to admit we have a problem. Others of us don’t understand that the problem we’ve been struggling with for so long is, in fact, an addiction. Reach out for support. Ask the tough questions. Be honest with yourself, and be willing to face the truth that addiction is a part of your life story. You can begin to turn things around for yourself as soon as you reach this stage. Acceptance is the first step. From there, understanding flows, and recovery is possible. You can do it, and you’re not alone. Call Athens Area Commencement Center at (706) 546-7355.