Is My Addiction Bad Enough To Go To Rehab?

One of the hardest parts of getting drug or alcohol addiction treatment is admitting that there’s a problem, and it’s often difficult for people to take that first step.

However, if you’ve begun questioning whether or not you may need to attend a rehab program, you very well may benefit from professional help.

There is no single set of criteria that you or a loved one needs to meet to go to a rehab center. If substance use is impacting your life in negative ways, it’s a good idea to consider treatment.

Signs And Symptoms Of A Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Before contacting a treatment facility, it helps to understand what you or your loved one may be going through.

There are a few ways to determine whether someone is facing an SUD. One of the first questions to ask is whether or not the person has tried and failed to stop substance use on their own.

If the answer is yes, they would likely benefit from treatment. This can apply to anyone whose life has become negatively affected by drugs or alcohol.

Other indicators of substance abuse include:

• taking larger or more frequent doses to feel the same effect
• financial difficulties
• drastic changes in appearance
• mood swings, depression, irritability, or anxiety
• lowered performance at school or work
• making reckless decisions
• isolation from loved ones
• experiencing withdrawal symptoms without substances

Can Addiction Get Worse With Time?

Addiction is a progressive disease and can worsen significantly with time, which makes seeking treatment as soon as possible imperative.

People can quickly build up a tolerance to a substance, needing more and more to feel the same effects. This can have disastrous consequences for mental and physical health.

Addiction to substances like opioids, opiates, alcohol, or benzodiazepines is particularly dangerous since the withdrawal symptoms can become deadly without medical assistance.

Do I Need To Hit ‘Rock Bottom’ First?

There is a pervasive myth that people facing drug addiction need to hit “rock bottom,” or a very low point where they may lose their job, relationships, or health.

However, this could not be farther from the truth. Delaying treatment until addiction seems severe enough can make it more difficult to recover and may severely impact the person’s life.

Additionally, many people are functional and continue working, going to school, or doing other daily life activities while experiencing addiction. They may not hit “rock bottom” but still need help.

Is It Ever Too Late To Go To Rehab?

No matter how severe an addiction is, it is never too late to seek treatment. Nobody is beyond help, and everyone deserves a chance at getting better.

Don’t wait for life-altering events like DUIs, debt accumulation, organ failure, or other catastrophic effects of addiction to happen before considering a rehab program.

Addiction is a chronic, lifelong disease, but with proper treatment and care, anybody can find success and sobriety to live a happier, healthier life.

Get Help For A Substance Use Disorder

If you, a family member, or another loved one is experiencing drug or alcohol abuse, don’t wait to seek treatment. Contact us today to learn about your addiction recovery options.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff