People who are struggling with their drug or alcohol use often wonder at what point is substance abuse treatment necessary? It’s important to understand that substance abuse isn’t something that is quantifiable. It’s not about saying this number of pills a day is too many. Or thinking, well I don’t drink as much as so and so, therefore I must not need help. Substance abuse is when you continue to use drugs or alcohol regardless of the negative consequences it has on your life or health. It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to hit rock bottom before you seek help or encourage a loved one to seek help.
Answering the question when is substance abuse treatment necessary can take a great deal of soul searching, and even more self-evaluation and honesty. Most substance abuse problems develop over longer periods of time, making our abilities and our loved one’s abilities to recognize them more difficult. Certain patterns of drug or alcohol abuse become so engrained in a person’s habitual life that it’s difficult to picture a life without it. This is one of the reasons why seeking treatment can be so difficult and scary.
Often times, as is the case with most things, we can’t see our own faults until they pointed out to us by those closest. This is usually the case with substance abuse. So if you are wondering if you might need help with a drug or alcohol problem, listen to what those around you are saying about your use. It could be a huge red flag.
Here are some other questions you can ask yourself to determine whether you or a loved one might have a problem with drugs or alcohol.
- Does you or your loved one avoid seeing friends or family when they are using drugs or alcohol?
- Has you or a loved one had difficulty explaining their whereabouts or how they arrived at a certain place because they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
- Do you not feel like yourself unless you are using? Do you notice behavior changes in a loved one?
- Have you or a loved one lied to family or friends to cover up drug or alcohol use?
- Do you or a loved one feel guilty about your drug or alcohol use?
- Do you or a loved one express annoyance when asked about drug or alcohol use? Do you or a loved get defensive?
- Do you find that you or a loved one is neglecting personal responsibilities because of drug or alcohol use?
- Are work, school or relationships suffering because of drug or alcohol use?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider reaching out to an addiction specialist. They can help you understand treatment options as well as discuss ways to help get a loved one into treatment, such as staging an intervention.
