How to Open Up About Your Addiction

Addiction

If you find yourself struggling to open up about your addiction or are afraid of what others might think, you are not alone.

Addiction, whether it be a mental or physical addiction, can be one of the most challenging things to face in life. Opening up may not be easy, but it’s necessary for your addictions to get better.

If you are feeling apprehensive about opening up about your addiction, this article is for you. We discuss some of the most common issues people face when opening up about addiction and offer tips on better dealing with them.

If you ever decide to open up about your addiction, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Tips To Help You Open Up About Addiction

Don’t feel ashamed about what happened:

Like we said, addiction may be one of the most difficult things to face in life. Being able to open up and be honest about your addiction will make it easier for you and those around you to get through this difficult time.

Don’t feel ashamed about what happened; instead, make changes towards the future by opening up.

Try not to feel nervous about what your loved ones will say:

When you’re battling addiction, it can be difficult enough without having to worry about what others are thinking and saying about you.

The people who genuinely love and care for you will stick by your side during this challenging time, so try not to worry so much about what they might think or say when you try opening up.

Don’t feel pressured into opening up if you aren’t ready:

Many trying to open up about their addiction may not feel ready immediately. It is important to express what you are feeling without the added stress and worry of other’s judgement.

If you feel like you aren’t ready to discuss your addiction, then don’t do anything about it just yet. Take your time and seek other forms of support. Things will eventually catch up, and when you are truly ready for the help of others, then they will be there for you.

Don’t compare yourself with others:

Many people compare themselves to others when they’re open about their addiction. This can cause a person to feel like they’re not good enough or don’t measure up compared to those around them.

Instead, be realistic about your current condition. Know that you’re not alone, and remind yourself of the people in your life who love and support you.

Try to replace your negative thoughts with positive ones:

Many people fear judgment while disclosing a potential addiction. It’s not uncommon to feel this way, but there are some common ways to avoid getting caught in this cycle. One thing you can do is try and replace your negative thinking with positive thoughts.

For example, if you constantly feel anxious or worried about what others will think of you, try replacing these negative thoughts with something more positive. Instead of thinking, “everyone will think I’m a failure,” why not try thinking, “everyone will be proud of me for seeking help.”

Remember that those who matter will be there for you as long as you need them to be. There are always people who are going to love and support you through this difficult time.

Forgive yourself:

It can be complicated for people to forgive themselves for an addiction. This fear and guilt may cause people to hold back when it comes time to open up about their problems.

Instead, try forgiving yourself for your addiction and remind yourself that you are not perfect, just like everyone else.

Don’t feel discouraged if others don’t understand:

As anyone who has dealt with addiction knows, recovery from an addiction is not easy. It may take time to get your life back on track, but you should not let others discourage you because they don’t understand.

Remember that everyone else has their own struggles and problems just as much as you do. Everyone is struggling in some way or another, and you mustn’t feel like a burden just because your loved ones don’t understand what’s going on with you or helping you to get better.

Know addiction is not a sign of weakness:

When confronted with the idea of opening up about their addiction, many people automatically think it will be seen as a sign of weakness. Do not let this perception fool you. Addiction is an illness, not a character flaw.

If you are serious about overcoming your addiction and want support from those close to you, then facing it head-on will be vital for success. Don’t let others dictate how you should feel about your mental health. Your feelings are valid, and nobody should ever make you think otherwise.

Seek therapy:

Sharing your addiction is an integral part of recovery. However, many people may find it hard to talk about their substance abuse history because they have been using the substances for a long time and have not disclosed their addiction to loved ones.

Whether out of shame or fear, therapy can help you feel more comfortable talking about your addiction and why you started to use it in the first place.

Take it day by day:

If you are ready to open up about your addiction, then try to take things slow. Don’t rush into revealing too much too soon. Instead, take things one step at a time to give yourself and others time to prepare for the changes that will need to be made.

Remember that your addiction is not a death sentence, and you will have plenty of time to recover from it. Take it one day at a time, and you will be able to get through this more easily.

Remember you can overcome addiction:

If you have not opened up to anyone about your addiction, then this is an excellent time to prepare yourself for the struggles ahead. Remind yourself that you are strong enough to get through anything, and anything is possible if you set your mind on it.

Remember that you can overcome this addiction, and there will be plenty of time for recovery once things are all said and done.

Getting Addiction Help

If you’re having trouble reaching out to others about your addiction, there are many different resources and organizations to help you along the way.

There are people out there who have successfully overcome addiction, and they can be of great help if you are struggling. Many non-profit organizations provide support to addicts, and they will be more than happy to help you in any way that they can.

Try reaching out to groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for help.

Washington Psychological Wellness is also proud to provide outpatient addiction treatment and recovery services for the community.