Many addicts blame their addiction on things such as their life being in a mess or that their spouse works all the time and they are lonely or bored. There is a lot of blame bandied about by addicts, but the truth is that no matter what the circumstances, the fact that one has an addiction is because one has chosen to drink alcohol or take drugs.
If you are addicted, maybe you feel that drinking or drug taking helps you feel better or more able to cope with the stresses of everyday life. While this may be true initially, it is unlikely to continue to make you feel good. The longer you drink or take drugs, the more tolerant your body will become, and you will then need to drink more or take more drugs to experience the same feelings.
After a while, the drugs and/or alcohol will begin to damage your body, and what you once thought was making you feel better will slowly start to make you feel a whole lot worse.
Look at Your Behaviour
Even if your addiction started because of a traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one or an abusive partner, you need to think about your behaviour. While there may very well have been a genuine reason for starting to drink or take drugs in the first place, continuing to do so and harming yourself is down to you. You need to take responsibility for your actions because no matter how much you drink or how many drugs you take the reason you began in the first place will still be there.
You need to deal with your situation in a positive manner. No matter what has happened in your life, using it as an excuse to keep drinking or taking drugs is only making your situation worse. Turning to these damaging substances will ultimately make your life worse.
Many other people deal with loss or abusive partners without taking drugs or drinking alcohol to cope. You do not have to depend on these substances to get you through life. The reality is that they are not actually helping at all – they are making things one hundred times worse.
Getting Help
Instead of having one thing to cope with, i.e. the reason you began drinking or taking drugs, you now have that plus the addiction you have developed. The first thing to do is to tackle your addiction. This must be dealt with first and then you can begin to address the reason you started drinking or taking drugs.
Before you can address the underlying cause of your addiction, you must have a clear head that is free from alcohol or drugs. While these substances may help you forget about the underlying cause, it will still be there.
Once you have admitted that you do indeed have a problem, you will be ready to get help. While it is possible to quit by yourself, most addicts need professional help. There are many options for addiction recovery including a 12-step programme, outpatient treatments, sober companions, inpatient treatment, or a recovery residence.
Accessing Treatment
If you are unsure where to go for help, Rehab Helper can provide you with information on the various treatments available. We have a team of experienced advisors who have a wealth of knowledge in all types of addiction. We will provide you with a fully comprehensive assessment and will make a referral to one of our partners depending on your individual needs. Call us today for more information on how we can help.
