Here are 5 things that would have helped me through my addiction
I struggled with addiction when I was only 14 years old. It’s such a young age to be drinking every day but it happened to me, and it’s a part of my past and who I am. Though it’s hard to swallow, I know that just having some support and a healthy outlet could have helped me at the time or even prevented it all together.
I no longer struggle with drinking and I have found better ways to cope with my depression and anxiety. I have good outlets and I have a better understanding of myself and my emotions.
But I do wish that I didn’t feel the need to suffer alone in my time of need, I wish someone I loved was there for me and these are the things that I believe would have helped me.
A Listening Ear
I think the biggest part of struggling with addiction is the fact that you are alone. It’s hard to talk to people about why you drink, do drugs or engage in harmful behaviors. Sometimes it’s easier just to fight it alone because you swear that you are doing less damage by only putting yourself at risk. In a way, you just don’t want to be a burden. Having someone to talk to and to really listen to me would have helped me; just letting out those thoughts would have taken some of the pressure off.
Finding Outlets
Finding a healthy alternative to addiction can seem impossible. You can’t just give your vice up overnight and expect to get better. It’s hard work and sometimes it doesn’t seem worth it. You can feel so tired from your emotional battles that the addiction seems easier. But if someone was there to help me find outlets, like taking me on a walk or having a painting session with me, it would feel so much easier. It would have just been nice to discover outlets with a person who makes it all seem less scary.
Understanding The Cause
For me, part of my addiction was because I had all these feelings inside but I did not understand them. I did not know what mental health was or that I had been suffering from mental illness for a long time. I believe that if someone was there to explain what mental health was and to help me understand my own, then maybe it would be easier to come to terms with and the addiction wouldn’t feel so necessary.
Knowing My Options
It seems like a no-brainer that understanding my options would help me. But when you are just googling the local support options, sometimes it just doesn’tfeel worth it. It can cause a lot of anxiety and in the end, none of this support will be followed up. Having someone I trust help me learn what my options are for recovery and to give me support through the whole process would have given me a better chance at sticking to my chosen options and pushing through to recovery. A bit like a safety net.
Day To Day Support
It may sound needy, but addiction is more than just a health problem. It can affect your ability to look after your hygiene, go to work, eat meals and just have any form of quality of life. If someone checked on me daily, just to remind me to eat, brush my hair and wash the dishes, I believe it would help me with finding motivation, routine and just a better way of living.
Just remember that help is available and you can recover. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, please reach out at 216-591-0324 or intake@newdirect.org.
Guest post by Charlotte Underwood