It can be difficult for people to understand your addiction if they haven’t experienced it themselves.
There are also many stigmas and stereotypes surrounding addiction that can obscure the truth. Some people may think substance abuse is a choice, while others may believe it’s a weakness that can be controlled. However, addiction is a progressive and chronic disease that requires comprehensive treatment. While you can’t stop people from asking tough questions, our drug and alcohol rehab in Massachusetts is sharing some helpful tips for answering difficult questions about addiction.
Common Questions For Addicts In Recovery
Even though there is a lot of education and resources about addiction, people still believe that it’s a choice. While substance abuse disorders may have begun with experimenting or recreational use, people don’t go into using drugs or drinking with the intention of becoming addicted. That’s why family treatment programs are crucial in helping an addict recover and mend any issues within a family unit.
Below are some common questions that people ask addicts:
- Why do you care more about drugs or alcohol than me?
- Why can’t you just quit?
- Why won’t you change for me?
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Different Ways of Answering Difficult Questions About Your Addiction
If you don’t know how to answer difficult questions about your addiction, remember that you’re not the only one who’s been affected by addiction. The effects of addiction on relationships can be severe. Try to avoid becoming defensive and instead acknowledge your loved one’s feelings. Remember that they’re asking because they’re hurt and don’t understand what having an addiction is like. You can use one of these responses:
“Addiction is a disease.”
Addiction is similar to cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the sense that it’s a progressive physical condition that will worsen without treatment. Even once an individual with a substance abuse disorder has received addiction treatment, they may still struggle with addiction cravings. Many people in addiction recovery attend individual and group meetings to help them stay on track.
“I did not choose to be an addict.”
People rarely, if ever, begin using drugs or drinking with the intention of becoming addicted. While the dangers of certain habits are more obvious when substance abuse reaches the point of addiction, it’s no longer a choice. Kindly explain to your loved one that this is a disease that’s both physical and psychological that requires treatment similar to any other disease.
“My brain and body have physically changed.”
A person who doesn’t fully understand addiction as a disease may ask addiction questions based on emotion. They may believe you don’t love them or that you chose drugs and alcohol before them. But aside from the fact that a person develops a mental bond to the substance abuse in question, addiction is also very physical. Alcohol and most drugs can cause chemical imbalances in the brain, inhibiting regular functions. These substances are addictive because of their impact on the brain, especially on the brain’s reward system. Even if you’ve been sober for years, the brain doesn’t revert to its form before drugs and alcohol. It will always remember what the high felt like. While this makes recovery difficult, it’s not impossible. This is important to mention to your loved one.
Our levels of care at Banyan Treatment Centers Massachusetts have helped numerous individuals and their family members heal from the effects of alcoholism and drug addiction. For those who are currently in addiction recovery, we hope these responses help you answer those difficult questions about your addiction. Although these questions can be hurtful, they often come from a place of misunderstanding or hurt. Try to look at the situation from the other person’s perspective and react as kindly as possible.
If you or someone you know is addicted to drugs or alcohol, call Banyan Massachusetts now at 888-280-4763 to speak to one of our team members to learn more about our substance abuse treatment.
