The first thing you need to know is there is no one truth. Addiction affects people differently, just as there are different reasons why people abuse opiates. Some turn to opiates for pain relief. Others think of it as recreational fun, not thinking about the dangers of falling into addiction. By the time they realize something’s wrong, they’re already dependent on the drug. If you are struggling with opiate abuse, you need to understand a few important things.
You Need to Ask for Help
You can’t do this on your own. The good news is that you and many others like you have plenty of resources that you can turn to. Look for facilities that offer opiate recovery programs. They include many services, from opiate depression treatment to family counseling, behavioral therapy, and more. It’s a long road ahead. If you want to get started, ask for help.
It's Not Because You’re Weak
Many people still mistakenly believe in the idea that willpower is enough to curb addiction. It’s not. The science behind that is simple: addiction changes your brain. No matter how much willpower you have, it won’t be easy. That’s why you need help. The thought that people with addiction don’t try hard enough is wrong. Many are trying their best to take control back of their lives. They’re not weak. They’re fighting an overwhelming compulsion because that’s what addiction does. It changes the way their pleasure network in the brain works. So, the next time you hear someone say people with addiction are weak, know that they’re wrong. Don’t let that erroneous belief get in the way of you trying your best to achieve a successful recovery.
It's Harder Than You Think
There are people who will tell you that they did this program or that training to get rid of the addiction. They’ll make it seem easy as long as you follow a system, go on a specific diet, or take medication. But it’s not. The best rehab programs won’t try to sugarcoat the process for you. They will you what you may already have guessed by now: rehab is hard, and it might be one of the hardest things you will ever do, especially if you’ve been abusing opiates for years, so don’t underestimate the amount of work you’ll need to do to get there. It will be hard. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
You Need People
A strong support group or network makes a difference. People struggling with addiction show a better rate of recovery when they have a supportive environment. This can be difficult to imagine since your addiction might have led to disagreements and even broken relationships with loved ones. But this is the best time for you to reach out to them. With family counseling, group therapy, one-on-one sessions, and more, you can start mending your relationships. That will motivate you to work harder. It’s also a good idea to reach out and show support to fellow participants in the program. Learn about this and more when you enter rehab.