Your loved one struggles every day with his or her addiction. They feel the weight of the world on their shoulders and may have told you they don’t know how they can keep going. Why don’t they just get help, then?
When Your Loved One Will Not Get Treatment
There are many reasons people with an addiction refuse treatment. It may make sense to everyone around them that they need help. After all, if they broke an arm, they would seek out medical care to fix it. Yet, many addicts don’t see their addiction an illness that can be treated.
Many people need interventions to help them come to grips with reality, learn about treatment options, and admit that they need help. If your loved one expresses any of the following, it may be time for an intervention.
#1: Denial
Denial is probably the number one cause of failure to get help. Many people, even faced with the reality of their current life, still don’t believe they have a problem. They may believe they can stop using at any given time. But addiction is a disease that requires treatment. Interventions for substance abuse nearly always revolve around helping the addicted person accept this reality.
#2: Fear of Failure
On the other side of the coin is the fear of failing. Right now, your loved is coping. They know they’re suffering and causing you to suffer, but they’re afraid that they won’t be able to maintain recovery. They’re afraid that relapse will be a significant blow they cannot emotionally handle.
The fear of failure is one of the main reasons people never stop using. They don’t have to confront their lack of success if they don’t try. Also, getting treatment would force them to deal with their emotional and psychological health–an even scarier prospect than living with addiction.
#3: They Are Afraid of Detoxing
It’s no joke: detox is painful. Many people will face countless sleepless nights and a significant amount of pain as they stop using their drug of choice. Detox symptoms are usually worse for those who have been using for years or who are using a very powerful type of drug.
Here’s the good news. Detox is not necessary for everyone. Many people can benefit from outpatient treatment and be able to stop using drugs and alcohol with minimal physical pain. And if detox is necessary, it can be managed safely and with less pain by treatment facilities that offer medically-monitored detox.
#4: They Don’t Want to Stop
Using drugs and alcohol fills a void. For some individuals, drinking alcohol may help them forget that they feel neglected or abused. For others, it can help to minimize thoughts of a traumatic experience. In some cases, your loved one may have begun using simply to experience the “high,” but now that they’re addicted, they’re physically dependent on the drug to help them get through the day
#5: They Don’t Feel They Can Afford Help
It’s not uncommon for people to recognize that they need help but feel powerless to find it. They don’t know where to begin looking for treatment, they don’t know what their insurance will cover, and they don’t want to lose their job if they take too much time off work.
In these situations, an interventionist can provide the necessary education on treatment options and payment plans.
An interventionist understands all the reasons why a person doesn’t seek help and can help you confront those reasons with your loved one. Encourage your loved one to seek help. When they will not do so, contact our team in Marietta, GA, to schedule an intervention.