One of the reasons you or a loved one might hesitate to enter rehab is because of common addiction treatment misconceptions. People’s tendency to fear the unknown combined with resistance to seeking help makes it easy to believe in falsehoods around seeking a substance use disorder. Breaking through the misunderstanding that persists around addiction treatment can lead to a decision that can change the current trajectory of your life. If you have questions surrounding addiction treatment, reach out to Red Oak Recovery® today at 866.457.7590.
My Condition Isn’t Severe Enough
Most depictions of people seeking out addiction in popular media consist of them getting deeply in debt, living on the streets, or ending up in jail. If you’re currently functioning at a high level, you may not think your substance use issues are severe enough to warrant addiction treatment.
You don’t have to wait until you lose everything before seeking help for your problems with drugs or alcohol. Many professionals now recommend getting help early for mild substance use disorders. Early intervention can prevent you from developing a more severe addiction that may be harder to overcome.
Another benefit of seeking help early is that you may be a good candidate for outpatient therapy or another alternative to inpatient treatment. That means you could still go home at night while receiving addiction treatment. Why not improve your chances at a long-lasting recovery by getting help early in your addiction?
I Can Just Take a Medication Instead
The typical mindset around addiction recovery is that a person needed to suffer through all the effects of withdrawal during detox to achieve success. That’s changed in recent years, with people now having access to drugs that can ease withdrawal symptoms.
However, taking a medication can’t undo the underlying issues that led to developing a substance use disorder. By entering a treatment facility on an inpatient or outpatient basis, you gain access to therapy services that help you work through the core issues driving your addiction.
Medication-assisted withdrawal can indeed help reduce the risk that a person might relapse. But it isn’t a substitute for dealing with your problems and learning how to live a life without abusing substances.
Going Cold-Turkey Is Just as Effective
Attempting to control your substance use disorder by going cold turkey can be a devastating decision. People with an alcohol use disorder can be especially vulnerable to suffering from severe side effects, including:
- Severe headaches
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Clammy skin
- Constant fatigue
- Feelings of aggression toward others
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Short-term memory loss
People dealing with drug or alcohol addiction may lack essential nutrients. That can cause you to suffer more severe problems during the withdrawal process, including cardiovascular issues, problems breathing, seizures, and even death. That’s why it’s essential to have a medical professional available to intervene in cases of severe withdrawal.
Even if you are successful at going cold turkey, that only addresses the immediate issue. Working with someone experienced in addiction treatment can help you learn techniques and skills that benefit you in the real world and help you avoid a relapse.
Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Treatment
Deciding to go to rehab can be a difficult one. Don’t let common misconceptions about addiction treatment keep you from getting healthy and remaining sober. Red Oak Recovery® can help you work through a substance use disorder while helping you deal with other issues that could be driving your addiction, including:
- Family counseling
- Individual counseling
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Addiction therapy services
- Clinical rehabilitation
There’s no reason to be afraid. Reach out to Red Oak Recovery® at 866.457.7590 to start the process of taking control of your life. Addiction treatment can be the key to living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
