Recovering from an addiction is not easy but the good news is that you don’t have to go down this path alone! Just understand that everyone messes up every once in a while but that does not keep us from loving our family and close friends.
Similarly, your family and loved ones will be happier to be there for you once you get serious about getting clean.
Addiction is a family affliction that puts a strain on all of your personal relations. You might have been successful in keeping your addiction a secret, but the disappointing effects of substance abuse are difficult to hide and your personal relationships will surely suffer in one way or another.
Coming clean to your family and friends will help them understand the reason behind your erratic, and possibly disappointing, behavior. This will motivate them to stand by your side throughout the recovery process and motivate you towards a happier and healthier lifestyle.
But before you disclose your addiction to those closest to you, it is important to be sure that it really is an addiction. Do you know for sure that your alcohol or drug use is not simply recreational? Scroll down to read some sure shot indications of an addiction.
- Your addictive behavior is putting a financial strain on you or your family.
- Your relationships are formed based on excessive use of drugs or alcohol.
- You find yourself drinking or using drugs more than you used to.
- Your friends and family have complained about the changes in your behavior.
- Your habit of drinking or using drugs has damaged your familial relations and you have lost friends because of it.
- It seems impossible to have fun without alcohol or drugs.
- Alcohol or drugs are your number one coping mechanism and you go for them every time you face even a slight inconvenience.
- You are losing interest in healthy activities that you used to enjoy before like exercising or running.
- You often black out from the excessive use of alcohol or drugs.
- You often find yourself drinking more than you used to. Even when you set a limit, you find it hard to stick to it.
- Going without alcohol and drugs seems hard and the thought of giving them up makes you nervous.
If you notice any of these signs, it is time to get serious about battling your addiction. Let’s have a look at how you can tell your friends and family about your struggles with alcohol and drug abuse so that they can guide you down the path to recovery.
The First Step
The first and probably the most important step of the recovery process is to accept that you have an addiction problem. Most people fail to realize that they are addicted until it’s very late and the time for repentance is gone. It is important to understand that you cannot fight addiction until you accept it and address it. If you think it’s going to go away on its own, it’s likely you’re still in denial.
Once you acknowledge that you are struggling with substance abuse, half the work is done. It is only then that you can fight and win the battle against addiction and come back towards a healthy life. Furthermore, you will feel a difference in your self-esteem as soon as you realize that you are willing to get help. Therefore, it is important to accept that you are facing a serious issue and it is time to reach out for help.
Coming Clean
We understand that coming clean about your secret addiction is difficult and takes a lot of courage. The best way of coming clean is simply, to be honest. Honesty really is the best policy when it comes to telling your loved ones about your struggles with substance abuse. You don’t want to spew up any more lies. Tell them everything how it is, and make it a point to practice full, honest disclosure from here on out.
Tell them you want to be truthful with them because you have realized how this one thing is ruining your life and affecting everyone around you. Start from the beginning and share with them how your addiction has strained your relations, work, and financial situation. You don’t have to tell them every detail but make sure they know you want to come back towards a healthy life, and you need their help and support to do it.
The key here is to just say it: don’t overthink it. The more you think about it, the greater the chances that you may end up never telling them at all. Simply, go up to them, take a deep breath, and state your peace. Remember, they are the most important people in your life. They deserve your honesty and you will be relieved to have shared your secret with them.
What to Expect
Most people are quite understanding and supportive when a loved one shares their secret issues regarding an addictive behavior, but don’t expect too much. It is important to give them time to come to terms with your addictions. Remember how hard it was for you to accept that you have a substance abuse problem? In the same way, it might be difficult them at first.
Emphasize how you understand and take responsibility for all these problems and on how much you want to work on them to make things better. The goal is to make them realize that you cannot do this without them. You will be surprised to see at how easy it is to get them back on your side once you’re honest and open about your situation.
Remember, coming clean about your addiction is like ripping off a band-aid. It might be hard to build up the courage to do it, but the faster you get done with it, the better it is. With professional help from a medical facility like Scottsdale Recovery Center and the support from your loved ones, you can beat addiction in no time. Call us today, and we can all work together to support your journey back to a clean, healthy life.
