Guide on Explaining Your Addiction to a Loved One

When explaining your addiction to anyone, even your loved ones, the first thing you need to know is that they will most likely not be able to understand it. Addiction is a very difficult topic to discuss, as the condition is extremely individual as well as chaotic. Another thing that you can expect is that there will be some powerful emotions involved. Whether you are looking for help with choosing the best rehab center in Pennsylvania or simply to talk about your issues, you can count that emotions will go rampant. This is perfectly normal, however, and those emotions stem out of love. Always keep that in mind. In this article, we will provide you with a few tips on what to do (and what not to do) when explaining your addiction to a loved one.

Do’s of explaining your addiction to a loved one

The best way to talk about your addiction with a loved one is to do so in a way that will allow them to really hear what you are talking about. Here are some of the things you should have in mind before and during the conversation:

• Educate yourself on your addiction
• Prepare answers to common questions
• Get ready to encounter resistance, denial, and ignorance
• Be clear and upfront
• Choose a good time for the conversation

The number one thing that you need to emphasize is that you are fully aware of the problem and that you want to solve it. It may also be a good idea to check out a few drug and alcohol treatment centers in Pennsylvania before you start the conversation. That way, you will be able to show that you are actively seeking a way to handle your addiction. But above all, be honest, stay calm, and try not to argue with your loved ones when you are explaining your addiction. Emotions will be unleashed but it is best to try and keep them in check to the best of your ability. Now, let’s take a look at some of the things you may want to do when explaining your addiction to a loved one.

Educating yourself on your addiction

The first step in treating any addiction is self-awareness. You need to be able to fully understand your position and how the addiction is affecting your physical and mental state. Before you can be able to explain the addiction to a loved one, you need to ensure that you fully understand it first. The best thing to do is to conduct as extensive research as you can and gain insights into how your addiction works, how it progresses, and what is involved in the recovery process. This is also the point to consider specialized institutions such as alcohol rehab Pennsylvania centers, and look into psychotherapy. The more information you have, the easier it will be to explain your addiction to a loved one.

Furthermore, by gaining more knowledge about your addiction, you will become more confident that you can beat it. While battling addiction can be really difficult, the truth of the matter is that you can do it. The willingness to talk to your loved ones about your addiction is a great step in the right direction. And you should feel proud of it.

Preparing answers to common questions

However, you may soon realize that your loved ones will have some questions about your addiction, questions that might be rather difficult to answer. Some of the most common questions that addicts get are:

• Why can’t you just stop?
• How much will rehab cost?
• How long will rehab last?
• How can I help?

The best thing you can do is to have ready answers for all those questions. But don’t worry, we will help you out!

Why can’t you just stop?

Obviously, the first question is the most difficult to answer. Try to explain that quitting takes time, it is not as simple as flicking a switch. It takes time for the addiction to set into place and it takes even more time to get rid of it. Explain to your loved one that addiction changes your brain and makes it so it believes that the addictive substance is necessary for your survival. A sudden substance deprivation may cause shock, seizure, a heart attack, and even death in some cases. It is not a trifling matter, not in the least. That is why the best way to handle addiction is to undergo one of the partial hospitalization program rehab Pennsylvania courses. But once you mention any such programs, get ready for the following question:

How much will the rehab cost (And how will you pay for it)

This is where your prior research will come in real handy. Most detox, rehab, and inpatient drug and alcohol treatment centers in PA will offer certain options when it comes to financing your rehabilitation. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may be eligible for either a 28-day program or even extended care. Even if you don’t have an insurance plan, there is a good chance that you are eligible for state coverage.

Ideally, you should have already talked with your state government either through email or phone and will have some concrete information to share with your loved one. If you haven’t, figuring out those options is something that you can do together. What is important is that both you and your loved one realize that there are options in front of you and that financing your rehab is, indeed, possible.

How long will rehab last?

The duration of your stay in rehab depends on numerous factors. First, there’s the financial factor or how much your insurance company or state is willing to pay. Second, your commitment to treatment plays a large role in the rehab’s duration, as rehab is not jail. You can practically leave anytime you want. Lastly, the severity of your addiction will also play a large role.

One thing to note is that you may start feeling much better after a few weeks or even after a few days. This feeling is called a “pink cloud” and it happens once your body starts to recover and your head clears a bit. When this happens, you may start to believe that your addiction problems are over. You may feel that you don’t need any sober living Pennsylvania options. But this feeling is highly deceptive. The truth of the matter is that you can never be completely cured of addiction, you can only manage it. That said, you will stop feeling any adverse effects after a year or so. However, the treatment itself may only last a couple of weeks.

How can I help?

This is the most important question you will get when explaining your addiction to a loved one. You must be willing to receive forgiveness and help, no matter what you did prior to this moment and this can be extremely hard to do. It is very important for you to understand that your loved ones want to be a part of your healing process. They may be able to help you in numerous ways, such as helping you find the best detox center Pennsylvania has to offer, providing support during the treatment, or simply being there when you need them. But they might need a bit of direction. It will be much easier to get help from your loved ones if you tell them exactly in which ways they can help.

Plan on dealing with resistance, denial, and even ignorance when explaining your addiction to a loved one

Once you broach the topic of your addiction with your loved one, you must be ready to face denial, resistance, and even outright ignorance. It is perfectly common for your loved ones to fail to understand the severity of the situation and simply say “well, stop using whatever you’re using”. If it was only as simple as that…

Understanding addiction can be a very difficult process, especially for people that have never encountered it themselves. If someone has no idea what opiate detox PA stands for, they will be unable to realize the severity of the situation. Denial, resistance, and ignorance may make it very difficult for you to explain your addiction to a loved one but they are to be expected. What you need to do is fully embrace that you will encounter all of them and keep a calm mind throughout the conversation. Given time, your loved ones will eventually come to realize the horrors of addiction and provide you with their support.

Always be clear and upfront

It is always best to be as clear and upfront when explaining your addiction to a loved one. Before the conversation, go through what you wish to express, and do not hesitate to include your feelings on the matter. In fact, expressing your feelings is the best way to start a conversation. This will set an excellent tone for the conversation and will make discussing the “finer” points such as choosing the best marijuana rehab Pennsylvania center or dampening any strong feelings your loved one might have about your addiction. Do not be afraid to tell your loved one how much the addiction hurts you and that you fear for your safety. Try not to hide anything from your loved one, either. The more open and honest you are, the easier it is going to be.

Choosing the best time for the conversation

Difficult conversations usually require precise timing. The best time to talk to your loved one about your addiction is when both of you are as clear-headed and calm as possible. Talking while either one of you is in a state of distress will produce negative results more often than not. Chances are that if you do so, you will not even get to talk about music therapy for addiction, for example, and that many of the things you want to say will fall on “deaf ears”. The best time to talk about difficult matters is when things seem to be going well. Do not be afraid to “spoil the moment” and take advantage of any such chances.

Don’t’s of explaining your addiction to a loved one

When speaking to your loved one about your addiction, you should avoid doing any of the following:

• Give ultimatums or threats
• Blame anyone
• Allow them to ignore the issue
• Allow them to enable your addiction

Ultimatums and threats

Resorting to ultimatums and threats is never good, even in the best of times. They definitely do not have any place when explaining your addiction to a loved one. In fact, ultimatums and threats can harm your relationship with a loved one. Furthermore, it is very easy to make threats and ultimatums that are simply not realistic. One of the most common threats is “I will never speak to you again“, which can seriously derail the conversation. Besides, not talking to a loved one ever again is not realistic and you should not ever make such statements.

Blaming someone for your addiction issues

Another thing that both you and your loved one should avoid is blaming someone else. Blaming either yourself or your loved one for your addiction does nothing to help you deal with the issue, it only brings more pain to both of you.

Do not allow your loved one to ignore the issue

Many times when talking to your loved one about your addiction, you will find that they do everything they can to ignore the issue. Don’t allow them to do so. Your addiction problem is very real and you are looking for a way to get better. Without help, your addiction will not simply vanish.

Do not allow your loved one to enable your addiction

Sometimes, your loved ones simply cannot stand to see you struggling with your addiction. They may even try to enable you to continue with the substance abuse as they can’t bear to see you in distress. Not allowing them to do so might be one of the most difficult things you will have to do in life. Try to explain to them that the help you require lies in another direction.

It is definitely not easy explaining your addiction to a loved one but it’s one of the best ways to start the healing process. We hope that this article has helped you in preparing yourself for the conversation and that you will soon get the help you need. If you have any additional questions or require any other information, feel free to get in touch with Little Creek Recovery Center. We are here to provide you with any support you may require to overcome your addiction issues!