5 Tips for Asking for Help With an Addiction

We all need help sometimes. When it comes to recovery, there are multiple signs that someone is in need of support. Some of those include changes in behavior including frequent mood swings or increased isolation, changes in physical appearance (lack of hygiene), lack of motivation, not having finances in order and/or disregarding priorities such as missing work or social functions.

However, it can be very difficult to ask for help, especially during recovery. The person may be in denial that they have an addiction or may feel hopeless, that even if they are to reach out – nobody can help.

Unfortunately, the stigma around substance use can also keep people from reaching out for help. People often believe they will be judged or shunned, but that is rarely the case. In fact, when people reach out for support, they are most often welcomed and supported.

If you are recognizing that you need help in your recovery, use these tips to get the support you need.

Reach out to someone you trust.

When it comes to recovery, not all help is created equal. Choose someone you know will have the necessary skills or connections to support you: a healthcare professional, a close family member or friend, or a friend or family member that is also in recovery and has been through what you are experiencing

Ultimately, whoever you choose to contact should be someone you are comfortable with and trust greatly. It should be someone who does not pass judgement and who can be supportive. If you know anyone who has been in recovery for some time and has been through what you are going through, they could be an excellent resource. Someone who has experience with the substance use or mental health field can also be helpful as they know what direction to point you in.

It is important to identify this person ahead of time so that you have a plan in place in the event an emergency arises. If you have not identified this person ahead of time and try to reach out while in a moment of depression or while using, it may be more difficult to follow through and gain the courage to reach out.

Use the channel that’s easiest for you.

Some people might feel more comfortable sending an email or text or even writing a letter vs. picking up the phone. It is sometimes easier to get your point across or explain what you are thinking while writing rather than speaking. Writing it down allows you to organize your thoughts.

Be completely honest.

It is important to start your road to recovery with full honesty. From a medical standpoint, it is important to know how much of each substance an individual was actually using in order to support them with detoxification. It is important to be honest with family, friends, and providers as well, since they often know when an individual was using more or longer than they let on. It is most important to be honest with yourself about your substance use and your plan for sobriety.

Don’t be embarrassed.

Asking for help can sometimes be misconstrued as being “weak,” when, in fact, it’s actually a sign of strength. It shows that you can be honest with yourself and your loved ones and that you are ready to make changes, even though they may be difficult. It shows that you are strong enough to know when you need help and to face the changes that need to be made.

Follow through.

It is just as important to follow through after asking for help. There is no quick or easy way to recover. It is important to keep following the steps and following through in order to not start at the beginning again. Starting over is often a part of recovery, but its likelihood can be reduced if you consistently show up for yourself and consistently follow through.

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If you are in need of assistance related to active substance use, please visit these resources:

Your states crisis hotline; Maine is 1-888-568-1112
The warmline: 1-866-771-9276 (WARM)
AA 24/7 Hotline: 1-800-737-6237
SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
https://aa.org/
https://na.org/
https://www.smartrecovery.org/

If you are interested in gaining support in the next phase of recovery and maintaining sobriety, submit an application to Acceptance Recovery House, a sober living house for men in Biddeford, ME.