Merging on to the Sober Living Speedway: 6 Common Barriers to Substance Abuse Treatment

 

Millions of Americans struggle with addiction every day, yet only a tiny fraction of those people receive treatment. About one in 12 individuals in the United States battle substance addiction and many don’t realize they have a problem. Less than 20% of addicted individuals ever undergo treatment to begin the path to recovery. However, while striving to maintain a sober lifestyle can be a burdensome process to undergo, experts consider addiction a highly treatable disease. If you or your loved one finds it difficult to seek treatment or is resistant to the idea, one of these barriers might be the cause.

Cost of treatment

Healthcare is expensive regardless of the type of treatment you’re seeking, and the cost of addiction treatment can be exceptionally high. For severe cases of addiction, many experts recommend 90 days of inpatient rehabilitation care. Luckily, under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans must cover mental illnesses, including addiction. While there may be limitations under specific insurance plans and rehab centers, many inpatient care facilities operate on a sliding scale and provide various financing plans. Though free treatment facilities are not prevalent and often have stringent eligibility requirements, they are also an excellent option for those struggling to pay for more expensive rehab centers.

Lack of resources

The demand for addiction treatment in the United States has been surging in recent years. Unfortunately, with limited personnel and resources, the recovery industry has been straining to accommodate this rise in demand. As if it wasn’t hard enough to decide to seek out help, providers are scarce, especially in rural regions. If you approach a rehab center in urban areas, you’ll likely be placed on a long waiting list and left to wonder when you’ll be able to gain professional help. However, joining a support group or a 12-step program can provide you or your loved ones with the necessary support until space opens up in a rehab facility.

Addiction stigma

For many addicts, one of the most significant challenges to seeking out help is fear of judgment. With many addictive substances classified as illegal, there can be intense shame or guilt associated with admitting to substance abuse. People fear that friends and family members will desert them or that they’ll lose respect from coworkers and their communities. While it’s difficult to dismantle the stigma surrounding substance abuse, family and friends are an essential source of support. People would often prefer to see their loved ones seek treatment than continue to suffer.

Time conflicts

Recovery from addiction does not happen overnight. Addiction treatment can take a long time for reliable results. Many people feel it’s unrealistic to abandon their jobs and families for a 90-day inpatient program. Fortunately, inpatient programs aren’t the only options for addicts seeking a sober lifestyle. Though they still require a considerable time investment, outpatient programs are very effective, and asking for a month-long vacation from work won’t be necessary.

Co-occurring mental health issues

Mental illness and substance abuse often go hand-in-hand. Whether the addiction or disorder came first, it can be much more challenging to seek help with a dual diagnosis. Not only will mental health issues make it harder to build motivation for change, but a dual diagnosis also requires specialized treatment. The recovery plan should treat substance abuse and illness simultaneously. Finding a rehab center that provides a tailored plan for you or your loved one’s specific co-occurring disorders will guarantee the best treatment possible.

Denial

Admitting a problem is the most taxing step for many addicts who don’t receive treatment. Whether it’s outright denial or the belief that they can quit independently, many substance abuse sufferers don’t believe their drinking or drug usage is a problem. It’s difficult for many users to truly see the toll substance abuse has on their lives and relationships. Most people who seek help cite the realization that treatment is necessary as the turning point for their addiction recovery process.

The bottom line

There’s no doubt that achieving sobriety is a complicated process for everyone who struggles with addiction. While barriers to seeking treatment are plentiful, everyone deserves a chance at recovery. The rehabilitation journey can be long and painful, but the joyful and healthy life you’ll lead at the end of it all will make it all worthwhile.

Header Image Source 

A Woman’s Daily Battle With Anxiety: Coping with the Highs And Lows.

Women and Anxiety

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression. So in honor of women’s month, and a woman who suffers from anxiety here are my thoughts and the things that I do to help when my anxiety is really high.

Over the last year, with the pandemic and still having to live life I know that my anxiety has been higher than it ever has been. I know that for me I have a hard time not going to worse case when I find something out. I also have a really hard time with change, and as we all know 2020 and 2021 (so far) has been a whole host of changes and relearning to navigate. Here are some of the things that I have been doing now to keep my anxiety down.

 

Take A Walk

When life is feeling too much, when I have completely stopped taking things in and my whole life just feels like it’s falling, I have to walk. So I get the dog and I go for at least 2 miles. Being in the nature, listening to music and feeling the breeze as I breath deeply is something that brings me back to real life. After this I usually feel better and like I can take on something again, like I can actually adult again.

 

Snuggle up

Sometimes I cannot walk, because of the weather, or its too late at night, so I get curled up with my pup, I turn on some calming music and I lay with her for about fifteen minutes and just try to relax. I also like to just lay there in silents and listen to that. This is something that I need sometimes, just to stop, and take a few minutes to do nothing.

 

Journaling

Writing is my creative outlet, so for me when things get to be too much, or if I have too much on my mind I write. Sometimes that has nothing todo with what is going on. Like today, because I have been feeling my anxiety so high lately I thought that maybe I would sit down and write to help myself and hopeful anybody who will read this as well. So do something creative this does not have to be writing this could be anything, coloring in an adult coloring book, or painting, maybe you like plants. Anything that will you think will help you.

 

Shower To Calm

The day has been so much. Exhaustion is hitting hard and you just want to be done, however, you feel like you have to keep going. For me a shower helps relieve anxiety. And it helps me feel like I am human again. I can wash the day off. And I also use some shower melts. They are like aroma therapy smells. On the really hard days these showers are just something that makes me feel like I have taken a break and I can keep moving again.

 

Connect With Others

I have a few people in my life that I will reach out to just to talk. They are the best listeners for me and know when I need to just say how crapy my day is or that my anxiety is just too high to deal right now. Something about getting it out to someone is very reassuring. Find your person or people. Let them know that you need to hear that everything is going to be alright.

With so many women who suffer from anxiety it is our job to normalize talking about this. It is one of those invisible things that someone who is suffering with seems fine. If you are like me it is so easy for you to suffer in silently. However, if we normalize these feelings, we can feel more comfortable reaching out.

If you feel like you are drowning, do not wait reach out for help!

Keep fighting! You can get help here.

Header Image Source

 

Exit mobile version