There are many people who struggle with addiction, but they think that drug and alcohol treatment isn’t for them. This is a common symptom of the disease of addiction, and if you’re a loved one, it can make problems worse. The important thing to remember is that addiction is a mental illness like no other. This illness affects the brain in ways that no other illness or disease does.
Why People Think Drug and Alcohol Treatment Isn’t for Them
There’s a saying that people with an addiction suffer from “terminal uniqueness,” and it’s quite common. This means that those who are struggling with an addiction think that nobody understands what they’re going through. Not only that, but they also think that traditional methods like drug and alcohol treatment won’t work. Their mind says, “It may work for you, but it can’t work for me.”
The disease of addiction affects a part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex, and this part of the brain has many responsibilities. Some of the functions that the prefrontal cortex is responsible for include self-awareness, logical decision making and connection to others and society.
When this part of the brain isn’t functioning correctly, the person is unknowingly in a state of denial. Their lack of connection to others is what makes him or her believe that they are different. They call it terminal uniqueness because the person’s stubbornness to get help can be fatal. More and more people are passing away from drug and alcohol addiction each year, thinking that drug and alcohol treatment was not for them.
Intervening with a Loved One
The main reason thousands of people in the United States don’t get help is because of their denial of the situation. Often it takes interventions by loved ones for the person to get the help they need. If your loved one refuses to get treatment, you can call an addiction specialist or research intervention techniques. Interventions can be difficult and full of emotion, so it’s good to know what to expect before doing one. Getting a professional is your best bet.
A Change of Perspective in Drug and Alcohol Treatment
It may be difficult for a person to take that first step to get treatment, but once they’re at Steps to Recovery, it gets better. We offer outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, and sober living where you or your loved one will live at the facility. During their stay, they’ll see that they aren’t alone and there are many others with the same difficulties. They’ll begin to have their mind heal and get hope that they too can recover from their addiction.
Our facility is in Levittown, Pennsylvania, and we want everyone to feel welcome. We have gender-specific groups, and we also offer programs to the LGBTQ community. Through addiction treatment, you or your loved one will begin to gain confidence in steady and long-lasting recovery. You can find out how to take the first steps
