Whose Opinion Should I Trust About My Addiction?

It doesn’t matter who you talk to – everyone seems to have an opinion about your addiction. With so many people eager to tell you what they think, it can be confusing figuring out whom to listen to.

Let’s take a look at some of the unsolicited advice you’ve probably received and what you should do with it.

Parents

If you are an addict, you’ve most likely felt the incredible disappointment from your parents. They’ve communicated their anger loud and clear towards you numerous times and it can be overwhelming.

With all the times you’ve let them down over the years, they are sure to remind you of your track record. When you tell them you are going to do things, they often stare at you in disbelief.

Chances are, you’ve felt their intense levels of frustration towards you and your addiction. These feelings tend to keep you at an arms-length away from them; just waiting for the next time you are going to disappoint them yet again.

Spouse

How many times has your spouse told you how selfish you are being? Even when you have the best intentions to care for them, things inevitably go wrong and you screw up once again.

Of course, from their perspective, you don’t ever try to do anything right, so maybe you’ve started wondering what the point is in trying.

Maybe you’ve thought your spouse was going to leave over the addiction which leads you to feel hopeless and alone.

If children are involved, the pressure from your spouse is often worse. There’s the childcare to think about, bills to pay and commitments to keep, but your spouse thinks you can’t handle any of this -probably for a good reason.

Friends

If you have friends who are also addicts, you probably get lots of reinforcement regarding your addiction. They understand the pressure you are under and the stress you face. They get why you need to unwind every day and relax.

Thankfully, you often think that you aren’t as bad as they are with their addiction, so you are safe in this relationship.

Coworkers

If there’s anyone you’ve disappointed over the years, coworkers and your boss rank pretty high up there. Between the days you’ve come in late, jobs you’ve messed up or the days you never showed up at all, it’s amazing they still talk to you.

Often, they don’t have much to say about your addiction, but it’s what they don’t say. How uncomfortable it is when they talk about you behind your back. How degrading it is when you get the meaningless tasks to handle.

It’s enough to make you think that it’s time to move on. In your mind, you might even start to believe that you are just too good for them.

Counselors

If you’ve ever tried to get a handle on your addiction, you might have tried to see a therapist or counselor. What did they most likely tell you about the addiction? That is was someone else’s fault. No, they probably didn’t put it to you in those terms, but it’s what they meant of course.

It was because your father was an alcoholic that you picked up your first drink. It was your mother’s constant nagging that caused you to leave home and turn to drugs. Then, as life went on, the pressures just got harder and you couldn’t cope, so you had to turn to alcohol.

Again, they might not come right out and say it to you, but you understand the implications of what they are saying. Your life was hard and it makes sense that you became an addict.

Doctors

The doctor sees you as sick. He might even tell you about a clinic in town that will help get you off the drugs once and for all. He gives good reasoning and thought process as to how the whole thing works, and you might just have to give it a shot.

What could be better than avoiding all the withdrawal symptoms as you transition off of the drugs you’ve been taking? Isn’t that the safe way to handle it all?

Treatment Center

With all the information you are getting from the varying sources, it only leads you to further confusion. A qualified addiction treatment center isn’t going to sugarcoat your addiction for you; they’ll be honest.

What would a treatment center say about the messages you’ve heard?

And more importantly, what would you do with that information?

Parents – Yep, it’s true that you’ve let your parents down. They also have every right to be angry with your behavior. With that in mind, you aren’t a bad person, you’ve just made some bad choices and you need to make it right with them.

Spouse – You are in a partnership that requires you pull your weight. If you aren’t going to be able to give your spouse the companionship and help they need, it isn’t fair to keep dragging them along for this rocky road. Getting sober is the first step toward rebuilding this relationship.

Friends – They will tell you that you are okay because they need to feel okay about their actions. The truth is, you are probably just as bad off as they are or worse. It’s time to look at yourself and stop comparing.

Coworkers – It must’ve been hard for them pulling all the weight when you aren’t available. It’s time to shape up or ship out. Make it up to them by becoming a quality employee that cares about your job – after you get sober.

Counselors – While there are good counselors out there, there are also many that want to keep you coming back, so they tell you what you want to hear. Don’t waste your time or money on someone that doesn’t hold you accountable.

Doctors – Feeding your body drugs to get off of drugs is not the best solution. Don’t put yourself in a bad predicament by following that advice.

Best Bet

The best thing that you could do is to realize you have an addiction. You need to be honest with your situation and the gravity of it. No – it’s not wise to beat yourself up or live in shame. That’s not going to help anyone.

You have an addiction and you cannot change the mistakes you’ve made up until this point. From this moment on, you have a choice.

You can choose to:

• See your addiction for what it is.
• Admit you’ve been wrong.
• Seek treatment so you can get healthy.
• Make amends to those you’ve hurt.
• Vow to live a life that’s different from what’s it’s been.
• Work hard every day to remain sober and happy.

When you decide to live a peaceful, sober life, the sky’s the limit. You won’t have to feel the wrath of those you disappoint. You won’t need to wonder where all the money’s gone yet again. All that will be left is honest relationships and a life worth living.

Contact Clearbrook Today

If you or someone you love is currently battling a substance abuse problem, help is available.

For 45 years, Clearbrook Treatment Centers has been providing the highest quality of addiction treatment services to those in need. From customized detox protocols and comprehensive treatment plans, we can offer you all of the necessary tools for lasting recovery.

Please do not wait any longer! Get the help you need!

Please contact our Admissions Specialists today and get on the road to recovery.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction please reach out to us at 570-536-9621.