There are many misconceptions surrounding drug addiction. This is not surprising since it is quite a complicated disease. There is a wealth of information available. However, some people believe it results from a lack of willpower or that it’s a moral failing. Even the people who love you may not get that you have a disease. They may have other ideas based on movies or news stories. This can make it difficult for you to talk to your significant other, relatives or friends about your condition. If you want help explaining your drug addiction to a non-addict, you’ll find some useful tips here.
Explaining Your Drug Addiction to Help Others Understand
It may be helpful to present research showing that addiction is a condition that requires medical attention and other treatment. You may also want to share some of the feelings you experienced before and during addiction. Everyone has felt alone, afraid or stuck at some point in their lives. This can open the door to finding common ground with your family and friends and help them to understand your struggles.
To help you prepare for the conversation, you should consider consulting a counselor who specializes in addiction recovery. They can assist you in communicating with others about your addiction. In addition, that can help you come up with a strategy for overcoming your addiction. That way, when you talk to your loved ones, you can show them you have a plan in place. They’ll know that you’re serious about recovery.
Chances are, your addiction has hurt those closest to you in some way. You’ve probably done things while on drugs that you wouldn’t have done otherwise. Drugs alter your mind, behavior, and personality so you may not have been acting like yourself. If you believe you should apologize to your family, now is a good time to do so. The conversation may be difficult and uncomfortable. However, it’s important that you’re honest with your friends and family since this helps to ensure a successful recovery.
Let’s look at some of the things you may need to discuss with your loved ones.
Addiction is Not A Choice
One of the questions you may be asked is why you can’t just stop using drugs. Many people assume that if you really wanted to stop, you would simply quit. If they’ve never dealt with addiction themselves or supported an addict, it can difficult to convince them otherwise. However, presenting the science behind addiction may help them to understand that a number of things can lead to addiction. These include the environment, genetics, and neurological factors. Your loved ones may come to understand that while you may have chosen to try drugs, becoming addicted wasn’t a choice.
Addiction Can’t Be Cured
Some people think that once you get treatment for drug addiction, you can be cured. You may need to explain that addiction is a chronic illness like heart disease or diabetes. While it can be successfully managed with the right treatment, it can’t be cured. It may be difficult for all the parties involved but addiction is a lifelong process and relapse is common. This can help your loved ones to prepare for what may be coming.
You’ll Need Support
Addiction doesn’t only affect the addict. It affects the entire family, and everyone struggles. Your spouse, siblings or parents may experience guilt, shame or remorse and they may try to cover up your addiction. However, if they can shed these negative feelings, they can live their lives free of frustration or resentment. Family therapy is often useful in helping everyone involved in the addict’s life. It can help relatives deal with their feelings while providing support for the addict. Family support is often be a major component of long-term recovery.
Get Addiction Support from Asheville Recovery Center
Even if your loved ones don’t quite understand after explaining your drug addiction, it is always possible to recover. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been addicted. The key to recovery is addressing the patterns that helped to foster the addiction. Before you can help anyone to understand your addiction, you need to understand it yourself. At Asheville Recovery Center, we help addicts get back on track and live a sober life free from suffering. We’ll help you to deal with the underlying issues like anxiety, trauma or grief by devising a personalized treatment plan. We can also give you the guidance you need to build a strong support system. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
