No one is immune from the impacts of addiction. The opioid epidemic has touched the lives of people across all cultures and classes. If you are struggling with an opioid addiction, you are not alone. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 10.3 million people misused prescription opioids in 2018 alone. This was just one year after they declared a public health emergency to address the opioid crisis in the United States. If you are struggling with opioid use, Casa Palmera understands that deciding to get treatment can be hard but it’s completely normal. Learn more about deciding factors to get treatment and next steps.
Opioid Addiction Is a Disease
If you are dealing with an addiction, know that you deserve the care you need to get and stay sober. Casa Palmera knows that addiction is a disease. Just like there would be no shame or blame in the treatment of heart disease or diabetes, there is no shame for addiction treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists the six signs below that can mean you or someone you love is struggling with addiction. With an opioid addiction, one major underlying factor is that the person who is struggling continues to use opioids even though the substance use has caused problems in their life. Here are some of the signs:
- Trying to stop or cut down on drug use, but not being able to.
- Taking one drug to get over the effects of another.
- Stealing drugs or money to pay for drugs.
- Using drugs because of being angry or upset with other people.
- Being scared at the thought of running out of drugs.
- Overdosing on drugs.
If some or all these symptoms resonate with you and you need help, know that recovery is attainable.
Thought Process Before Treatment
Deciding to take the necessary steps toward changing your life, without being dependent on opioids, can be exciting and overwhelming all at once. It’s OK to be worried. Take a moment to think about these two questions before you make the call:
What’s your reason for wanting to get help for your addiction?
Some people have personal reasons for addressing their substance use, while others are motivated by their friends and family who support their fight against addiction. You might also be in legal, financial or professional trouble, which is motivating you to get sober. These reasons often come down to one thing: you want better for yourself. If you’re thinking about treatment, you probably realize that substance use is holding you back from living a joyful and successful life.
What has stopped you from getting treatment?
Perhaps you’ve felt like you would fail or that the first few days will be too difficult to get through. Maybe you’ve worried about what your friends or family would think or say if you checked into opioid addiction treatment. These are all very valid fears when you’re wrestling with the notion of getting help. If you are worried about failing, that’s perfectly normal and it’s part of progressing to a better you. You won’t always fail but knowing that failure is part of the hard work you put into your recovery is a good thing to accept. Recovery is not a linear process. There will be bumps in the road but the support you receive in treatment will steer you in the right path.
If you are worried about what your friends and family are going to think or say about your choice to get help for opioid addiction, we want to help direct your focus back on the things you can control. You can’t control what other people think or say. You can, however, control your attitude toward treatment. You know that you are getting help because you need it. You know that you are doing the right thing for you. You know that you are setting yourself up for a long, healthy and happy recovery.
Casa Palmera is your home for treatment for opioid addiction. We know that addiction is a disease and that the opioid epidemic has led millions of Americans to develop substance use disorders. You are not alone and we can help you. We want to provide you with individualized care that fosters a supportive and healing atmosphere of peace, spiritual richness and rehabilitation. You deserve to experience the joys a sober life has to offer. Casa Palmera can help. Call our friendly staff today at (855) 508-0473. We can’t wait to hear from you and get you started in one of our treatment programs today.
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