Overcoming the Fear of Admitting You Need Help
The first step toward a life of recovery is admitting that you need help. Of course, doing so is easier said than done. Taking that first step can be the hardest step to take. That is because it can be difficult to recognize the signs of your struggles with addiction or a Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
Other times, you may be afraid of asking for help. You may fear admitting you need help for a number of reasons. Perhaps you fear appearing weak, facing discrimination from others, or struggling with the thought of your loved ones knowing of your addiction.
Fortunately, the topic of addiction and mental health has become less taboo. There are undoubtedly still many stigmas surrounding these topics, but the world has become a bit safer to talk about these struggles. The Lakehouse Recovery Center is focused on helping you obtain recovery, but you have to take the first step. Perhaps it helps to know that at the Lakehouse there is no judgment and no need to fear. We can help you on your path to recovery.
Common Recovery Fears
When taking the first step toward recovery, it is important to recognize that it is okay to be scared. There are a lot of unknowns when starting treatment for the first time. Unfortunately, being fearful is just part of human nature. You should not let these fears stop you.
Recovery has many challenges, but the quicker you dive in and begin to see the benefits of recovery, the less fearful you will become. Too much fear may deter you from seeking treatment, but continued fear can hinder your recovery too. You will have to muster up the courage to take that first step. In time, you will find that treatment can help you conquer your fears around recovery.
It is common to be fearful of sobriety, especially if you have been suffering from Substance Use Disorder for a while. The thought of any change, even good change, can trigger a fear response. It is also common to be fearful of the challenges you will face. Fear of detox and withdrawal are common among those seeking treatment. Know that the trained staff at the Lakehouse can help you get through detox. Once you have entered into recovery, you may become fearful of relapse as well.
Unfortunately, relapse is sometimes a part of recovery. Creating a relapse prevention plan can help put your fears at ease because it will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to handle potential relapse triggers. These fears come from a fear of failure. Relapse is not a failure though. It may be a setback, but you can always find your way back to recovery.
Learning That It’s Okay to Ask For Help
It is common to struggle with asking for help. You may fear that you will look weak or that people will think less of you. Although it is difficult, by not asking for help, you prolong your suffering. Overcoming your fear is the first obstacle you need to overcome in order to live a better and healthier life. There is no one right way to learn how to ask for help. It is often dependent on each person. There are, however, some ways to become more comfortable with asking for help.
Before asking for help, you first have to come to terms with what you need help with. Doing this will allow you to be concise with what you need and make the results more effective. You will be able to communicate your needs better to others and ask for help unapologetically. There is absolutely no shame in asking for help, especially when you’re seeking addiction treatment.
You may feel torn between seeking help and continuing a life of substance use. Overcoming your fear of entering treatment requires you to look at what substance use has done to your life. You have to decide for yourself to finally take that step. The fear may not completely subside, but you will become more accustomed to the idea of sobriety the closer you get to achieving it.
Let the Lakehouse Help You Take the First Steps
The Lakehouse has provided integrative treatment services to countless people. Our programs focus on providing each client treatment relative to their individual struggles with addiction. We provide services for drug addiction, alcoholism, substance use, and chemical dependency.
Regardless of who we treat and what we treat them for, each client needs to take the first step to start a program with Lakehouse. You do not have to stop your life to save it, but you do need to ask for help. Despite your fear of reaching out for support, the reward will be worth it. You will learn to live a life free of active addiction and have the Lakehouse family to support you always. Do not wait to start your path to recovery any longer, call the Lakehouse today.
The first step to seeking a life of recovery is asking for help. That means reflecting on your life, admitting how substance use has impacted it, and acknowledging you need help in seeking recovery. Unfortunately, taking that first step in seeking treatment can be the most difficult step. It is common for people to be fearful of entering into treatment. People are frequently afraid of looking weak, are fearful of going through detox and withdrawal, or fear experiencing relapse while in recovery. Asking for help is not weak and detox is just one step along the path to recovery. Relapse does not mean failure; all it means is that as humans we are subject to setbacks. It is natural to be afraid, but you should not let those fears prevent you from seeking treatment. Take your first step toward recovery today by calling the Lakehouse at (877) 762-3707.