How to Ask for Help with Addiction

It’s an unfortunate reality that many people suffering with an addiction do not receive treatment. This is in large part because people struggle with asking for help. If you have a problem with drugs or alcohol and are ready to get sober, understanding how to ask for help and doing so can be the first steps to a healthier future.

Why People Struggle with Asking for Help with Addiction

Asking for help with addiction is difficult for many people for several reasons.

• Shame: Many stigmas surround addiction, which cause people struggling with drugs or alcohol to feel shame. They don’t want to admit that they have a problem and need help because they are afraid that they will be perceived as weak or defective. However, addiction is a mental health disorder that needs treatment, just like health conditions need treatment. Asking for help is a courageous act.
• Fear of rejection: Often, addiction can cause conflict with the people that you’re closest to, damaging those relationships. You may feel as though they will reject your request for help and leave you on your own. However, you may find that those people have been waiting for you to come to the realization that you have a problem and will jump at the chance to help you get sober.
• Not wanting to burden others: Often, addiction can be very isolating, so you may feel that you have to go it alone if you want to get sober and not burden others. However, recovery from addiction requires support, and again, you may be surprised how willing people will be to help you.
• Fear of treatment: When you ask someone for help, it feels like you are committing yourself to getting treatment, and the thought of treatment may be frightening. It’s a major disruption in your life, and you don’t know what to expect. However, you’ll find that addiction treatment may be the best thing you’ve ever done. It can change your life, so it’s worth the time.

Who Should You Ask for Help with Addiction?

The most obvious answer to who you should ask for help is someone in your family that you trust. Someone that loves you should be more than willing to support you as you seek treatment. Unfortunately, however, not all families are perfect, and you may not have a family member who you think is capable of supporting you. Friends are your next best option, but not friends that shared in your drinking or drug use.

Another option is to find an addiction support group meeting near you, such as an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting. It’s a great way to connect with peers who have faced similar struggles and will support you.

If you’re looking for a professional who can help you and offer resources, your primary care doctor is a good place to start. They can connect you with local treatment facilities or therapists. You can also reach out online to treatment facilities like Bridges of Hope. They can give you guidance and explain what is involved in the treatment process.

How to Ask for Help with Addiction

Asking for help from family, friends, or peers is not as difficult as it seems once you’ve made the decision to do so. You just have to be as open and honest as possible about what you’re going through and what you need. Here are some tips for having the conversation.

• Be direct and tell the person that you are in a bad place and need guidance and support as you seek treatment. Tell them that you’re ready to change your life.
• Apologize if you need to. Express your regret about how your addiction has affected them, and that you don’t want to hurt them anymore.
• Be specific and tell them what you need them to do, such as helping you find a treatment program, or gathering information about your options. You’re likely overwhelmed at this point, so having someone by your side can be invaluable.
• Listen if they want to express their feelings about your addiction or past behaviors. Don’t get defensive or angry if you don’t like what they have to say.
• If they say that they will not help you, accept it and move on. You have other options. Don’t let it stop you from doing what you need to do.

If having a direct conversation with someone about getting help seems too much for you, you can instead put it in writing. Write them a letter expressing what is in your heart, and what you need. Sometimes writing it down makes it easier to express everything you need to say.

Treatment Options for Addiction

If you find yourself on your own without support from people that are closest to you, understanding your options can help you to seek treatment for yourself. You have several treatment options.

Inpatient Treatment

A 30 to 90 day inpatient treatment program includes a detox period and intensive therapy, both individually and in groups. You’ll also be treated for any co-occurring disorders that you may have, such as anxiety and depression. Medication may be part of the treatment.

Most of your time will be spent in group therapy. Group therapy is central to the treatment process, giving you the opportunity to learn and to interact with peers. You’ll likely form mutually supportive relationships with some of these peers, which can be invaluable.

The type of therapy most commonly used in substance use disorder treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT teaches you to recognize your irrational thoughts and to challenge and change them to more reality based, positive thinking. It also teaches healthy coping skills and strategies to avoid relapse.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) allows you to live at home while attending treatment for four to six hours per day, usually five days a week. The program may last anywhere from four weeks to ten weeks. The treatment consists of therapy similar to that of inpatient treatment, both in groups and individually.

More often than not, a PHP program is a transitional step that occurs after inpatient treatment, although it can be an alternative to inpatient treatment.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) consists of two to three hours of therapy five days a week for eight to twelve weeks. Often, sessions are held at convenient times so that you can still go to work or attend school.

An IOP can be a standalone treatment, or it can be attended after inpatient treatment, a PHP, or both.

Comprehensive Treatment

The most effective treatment plan for addiction is a comprehensive treatment program that consists of an inpatient program, a PHP, and an IOP. Research shows that recovery success rates increase the longer you stay in treatment. After IOP, you can receive continuing support from individual therapy or a program like AA or NA. Recovery from addiction is a lifelong process that requires dedication, work, and a strong support network.

In Closing

Asking for help may seem overwhelming, but there is no shame in needing support as you try to beat your addiction. You may find that the people who love you will be more than willing to help you get the treatment that you need. Bridges of Hope is here to help as well with many treatment options. We are committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate care to help you move forward to a more fulfilling life. Give us a call today to learn more.