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Many people suffering from any form of addiction may experience denial. People may deny their feelings, thoughts, and desires. Another thing that is heavily denied is an internal struggle. Reasons for denying internal battles may stem from insecurities, embarrassment, and fear. One common internal struggle is the battle people have with the use of drugs or alcohol. When it comes to recovery, honesty is your best friend. If you feel like you may have a problem that negatively affects your life, it may be time to get honest with yourself. You may want to consider the possibility that you are struggling with addiction. If you’re interested in learning what the road to recovery looks like, you're in the right place.
The Thinking, Before the Thinking
If you find yourself thinking about your habits or your overindulgence in substances, it may be time to seek help. This stage of thinking is known as precontemplation. In many cases, the thought of recovery may not cross your mind until you suffer severe consequences. A lack of clear cut consequences can be accompanied by a lack of motivation to solve the problem. Someone experiencing this may be known as a reluctant precontemplator. These people lack the awareness of their problem, as well as the motivation to change.
Someone in the precontemplation stage may also struggle with being a rebellious precontemplator. These people may be challenging to talk to. You may be aware of your problem but refuse to seek help because you do not like being told what to do.
To some, the most difficult one of all is the rationalizing precontemplator. This person may be highly educated and level-headed, leading to arguments on why there is an issue afoot. You may believe you have all the answers and have reasons why substance use is not an issue for you. To begin recovering, these forms of denial must be addressed.
Now that you have addressed the version of denial you are experiencing, it's time to begin deep thought. In this phase, also known as contemplation, you might find yourself doing research or opening to loved ones about your struggle. This is a phase where the possible consequences will sink in. Coming to this conclusion doesn't always mean that you move on with the process of recovery -- you may only consider getting help. Everyone is on their own timeline, and some may take longer than others. Taking longer is okay, as long as the effort is there to make a change.
Making the First Move
Deciding to make the first move isn't easy, even if you have decided that there is, in fact, an issue. Making the first move can involve reaching out to a loved one for support or seeking professional help. When making that first move, you must be serious about recovery to make a breakthrough. If your loved one struggles with substance use, you must help them understand that they have to be all in. When you refuse to commit to recovery fully, you aren’t able to reap all of its benefits.
Time to Take Action
When taking action, there must be a behavior change. This can be a difficult stage because it requires accountability. You will learn healthy habits that will break you down and then build you up again. In this stage, you must be willing to be completely honest with yourself and others. Honesty is the direct opposite of the actions and behaviors you displayed while suffering from addiction. When you are dishonest, you have a lack of acceptance. Secrets will only keep you sick. When you allow yourself to be honest, you can accept your past mistakes and allow others to help you.
Once the action is taken and you begin to see results, you will feel more powerful. Some may see the light at the end of the tunnel. You will start to see changes in individual habits and routines. This, by default, can be inspirational. Although these things may occur, it is essential not to forget that addiction is a disease. A disease that won’t always just lie down and disappear.
When Will You Know You Have Won?
You will know you have won when you no longer crave what was hurting you. An aura of confidence will radiant from you, and your friends and loved ones will be able to sense it. When you have won, and you become a better version of yourself, you will live a happier and healthier life.
Recovery can be challenging and frightening. You may now know what the process will entail or how even to reach a point of willingness. First, you must observe yourself and analyze your daily habits. If your daily habits indicate that you have a problem with an addiction, you must develop a plan. Realize that there are people out there waiting to help you, and they want to see you win. Seeking support is a vital tool for reaching recovery. If you feel like you or a loved one is in denial and shows signs of addiction, it may be time to seek help. The stages of recovery may seem difficult to you or a loved one struggling with addiction, but you don't have to do it alone. There are professionals who are more than capable of helping you on your road to recovery. Reach out to START UP RECOVERY at (310) 773-3809 to learn more about starting your journey.