Struggling through drug addiction or alcoholism is terrible. I know - I've been there. It fills you with all sorts of really horrible emotions - guilt, shame, you don't always feel 'fully-human' sometimes - and so this can make you feel especially misunderstood and lonely.
The big problem with alcoholism or drug addiction is the fact that even though the medical community do now generally regard them as a certifiable disease - many people still don't 'buy' into that fact. It's not like saying you have cancer for example, where you'll generally be well-received, supported and encouraged.
If you admit to drug addiction or alcoholism - a lot of people will still think you're weak, can't cope, are obviously troubled - and basically just inferior to themselves. That's why I think so many addicts and alcoholics live in denial for so long to the extent of their problem - it would be admitting to themselves they're just not 'up to it' as people.
Believing your drug abuse and alcohol abuse to be manageable and under control, is then naturally what you do (i.e. denial) - because doing anything else is then admitting 'failure' not only to yourself, but more importantly to the rest of the world. Who wants to live with that kind of stigma? So of course you'll try and 'protect' yourself for as long as you can.
That's why it becomes so important to understand what you're dealing with, know what your options are and how to get the best possible help you need. And you needn't worry about people you don't want to finding out anything -because you can get the best possible help you need that will keep your dignity and privacy in-tact.
But like with any illness - the worst thing you can do is to do nothing. The longer you leave it, the worse it gets. And that applies to you whether you're reading this as someone who has a drug or alcohol problem - or a family member/friend of one.
You may even only think that at this stage you're only dealing with the problem of alcohol abuse or drug abuse - rather than fully developed alcoholism or drug addiction - and that the problem is still under control. Don't be fooled because often it's already far worse than you think.
So please - even if you're not sure that you or someone you love suffers from alcoholism or drug addiction - be sure to research and educate yourself as to what you're dealing with and the help available out there. Too many people die each year from their addictions - so the stakes are too high not to. - 15252
The big problem with alcoholism or drug addiction is the fact that even though the medical community do now generally regard them as a certifiable disease - many people still don't 'buy' into that fact. It's not like saying you have cancer for example, where you'll generally be well-received, supported and encouraged.
If you admit to drug addiction or alcoholism - a lot of people will still think you're weak, can't cope, are obviously troubled - and basically just inferior to themselves. That's why I think so many addicts and alcoholics live in denial for so long to the extent of their problem - it would be admitting to themselves they're just not 'up to it' as people.
Believing your drug abuse and alcohol abuse to be manageable and under control, is then naturally what you do (i.e. denial) - because doing anything else is then admitting 'failure' not only to yourself, but more importantly to the rest of the world. Who wants to live with that kind of stigma? So of course you'll try and 'protect' yourself for as long as you can.
That's why it becomes so important to understand what you're dealing with, know what your options are and how to get the best possible help you need. And you needn't worry about people you don't want to finding out anything -because you can get the best possible help you need that will keep your dignity and privacy in-tact.
But like with any illness - the worst thing you can do is to do nothing. The longer you leave it, the worse it gets. And that applies to you whether you're reading this as someone who has a drug or alcohol problem - or a family member/friend of one.
You may even only think that at this stage you're only dealing with the problem of alcohol abuse or drug abuse - rather than fully developed alcoholism or drug addiction - and that the problem is still under control. Don't be fooled because often it's already far worse than you think.
So please - even if you're not sure that you or someone you love suffers from alcoholism or drug addiction - be sure to research and educate yourself as to what you're dealing with and the help available out there. Too many people die each year from their addictions - so the stakes are too high not to. - 15252
About the Author:
Visit C-Ps Alcohol Abuse and Drug Addiction Help based website for further advice and information with regards Alcohol Addiction and Substance Abuse and how he overcame his own addictions