Our minds have an amazing capacity to realize a fact but still not accept it and take it to heart. Many individuals who struggle with addiction may know deep down that they have a problem. They may know the “addiction definition,” but this doesn’t mean that they are ready to admit it out loud to themselves or to others.
In a scenario like this, the individual knows that a problem could exist, but they attempt to protect themselves from the guilt and pain of acceptance by ignoring the substance problem. They aren’t prepared to realize it fully or do anything about it.
In fact, even if an individual does end up seeking halfhearted help, it’s important to note that this will not guarantee success in rehab treatment and through sobriety. As with many things, success hinges more on your mindset than on anything else.
Working With a Positive Mindset to Treat Addiction
A positive mindset affects addiction a great deal. For example, if someone who is struggling with substance abuse knows the addiction definition but has the mindset that addiction only happens to weak and stupid people, they will be much less likely to put themselves in that camp and admit that they may be too weak and stupid.
Of course, we know that those who struggle with addiction are not weak nor are they stupid. It’s a disease. It’s just that most individuals don’t see it this way, and that holds them back.
They may see that something is amiss or that they’d like to slow down their drug use. But they avoid thinking about the fact that they are actually struggling. This protects them from that full-blown realization and all the work that would go into fixing it. It is definitely scary.
Dealing With Denial of Addiction Definition
A common question that is asked when determining whether or not someone is truly struggling with an addiction is could you stop if you wanted to?
Even though most patients who know their addiction definition would initially answer yes to this question, the truth is that the majority of those individuals probably could not stop “if they wanted to.” Of course, this is the mindset known as denial, and it’s what’s responsible for hundreds of thousands of individuals who desperately need addiction treatment not seeking the help that would save them, or not giving it their full effort.
Therapy at Steps to Recovery
Therapy is where mindset changing happens. Steps to Recovery offer multiple types of therapy that will help you treat your addiction head-on. These include:
- Individual therapy
- 12-Step program meetings with members from the fellowship
- Group therapy sessions
- Family therapy
- Relapse Prevention Therapy
Contact Steps to Recovery
Recovery from addiction is possible. Part of it starts with admitting that you have a problem, however.
This isn’t easy, but it’s much more necessary than simply knowing the addiction definition. That will not guarantee your sobriety. Instead, you need to take action. To get in contact with us and examine your outpatient addiction treatment options, call Steps to Recovery at 267.719.8528 today.
