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Wondering If You Need Treatment?
Drug Treatment
QCS & KCTS
So, you're not sure about getting treatment for what might be a drug or alcohol problem? Guess what? That is perfectly understandable.
First of all, what constitutes a problem? Have you seen the T-shirt that says, "I drink. I get drunk. I fall down. No problem!" That shirt reinforces the addage, "If it ain't a problem, it ain't a problem." But, "if it ain't a problem..." why are you or others asking the question?
So, let's examine a concept called ambivalence, mixed or even opposite feelings and thoughts that we have at the same time. I'm getting some information that tells me I might have a problem, but I also have information that says my substance use is desirable.
What are some of the good things about my substance use? First, most people drink or use drugs because, at least in the beginning, they made them feel good. Others used because they wanted to escape worries. Still others because they wanted to fit-in. Those are positives for the use of substances that are real to the user. The first question to ask is, "Do these substances STILL do for me what they once did?" If they still do, then mark that down on the left side of a two columned page under "Positives". List any other positives you can think of underneath that heading.
We want to weigh the positives of using against the negatives of using in order to make a decision that is right for the individual - you. Your using might not be a problem. Afterall, there are thousands of people who seem to get by with using without problems, right?
On the right side of that same page write "Negatives" at the top and start jotting down the negative things about using substances. Negatives might include problems with family members, at work or going to work, financial problems, legal problems like DUIs, health, loss of friends, loss of values, not enjoying things previously enjoyed, etc.
The problem with identifying negatives is being honest. There are two reasons for that. First, it is hard to look at painful things, things we might be ashamed of. Yet, if we don't look at them honestly, we will almost assuredly continue down a progressive path of negatives that keep getting worse. This path is self-destructive and that destruction is dependent upon the individual lying to himself about the negative consequences of his behavior.
That brings us to the second challenge of honesty, denial. When substance use begins to be destructive, even in the early stages, we have to psychologically avoid looking at the negative consequences to continue using the substances. Otherwise, our survival instinct would kick in. So we develop a psychological defense mechanism called denial to protect our substance use which has become very important to us.
The presence of denial is a sign that psychological dependence, or addiction, has developed. If you are unable to honestly write down your negative consequences then you are almost assuredly suffering from at least psychological dependence or addiction. Another variation of this is minimization. Minimization admits a little bit of of the negative consequences in order not to have to face the truth. Still another variation is blame-shifting, i.e., blaming others for the consequences or your usage.
All of these have one thing in common, lying to one's self in order not to look at the full extent of the negative consequences surrounding one's using. They are all signs of addiction. Please try to be honest when you make your list of negative consequences. You deserve honesty. If you have a gnawing feeling that you are not being honest, drop this exercise and call for help as soon as possible. If you can be honest, make your list.
Once you are finished with your list of both positives and negatives, side-by-side, it is time for some personal evaluation. This is an area where you might need some help. Of course, being honest and objective is a challenge. But there is also a personal inability to see any options, any way out. For instance, if you identify that if you quit you might get very sick, or you won't fit-in with your family and friends, i.e., your support system, then you might need the help of a professional, who deals with these problems everyday, to identify options.
Most counseling centers would have someone who would be glad to help you sort things out, ask you clarifying questions to help you decide, and provide helpful options and alternatives. Placing a call to them will help you decide if you need treatment. These are not people who judge you but people who are there to help. Most likely, there is nothing you could tell them that they have not heard before. Their job and training is to help you.
If you decide you don't need treatment, that's OK, but don't close the book on it. Behavioral problems have a way of getting worse over time. If it is not a problem now, it doesn't mean that it won't be a problem in the future. Many people think, "It's not a problem because I have not done this or that, " and do not realize there is a great big "YET" after each one of those reasons they think they don't have a problem. Of course, it is always better to deal with the issue before one gets to the "YETs" that make it a problem. But some people need the "YETs" before they can admit it. The "YETs" make the pain of using hurt worse than the pain of quitting. When it starts hurting enough they might become willing to get help. But you don't have to let it get that far.
If you decide you need treatment you can find a treatment center at http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/ . If you live in Oklahoma try:
Tulsa Keetoowah Cherokee Treatment Services 918-835-3017
Oklahoma City Quapaw Counseling Services 405-672-3033
Miami, OK Quapaw Counseling Services 918-542-1786
Article submitted Sunday, November 02, 2008
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