Overcoming Treatment Barriers

Overcoming drug and alcohol addiction is a deeply personal journey of healing, self-growth, and self-love. Making the decision to seek treatment and face the underlying trauma and other factors of substance abuse can be difficult even in the best circumstances. When faced with the realities of work obligations, care for dependents, and other responsibilities, access to addiction recovery care can seem completely out of reach. These roadblocks can leave you feeling helpless and trapped in your disease, but hope is not lost. Recovery is possible for everyone. Niznik Behavioral Health is here to help you find your path toward a sober future.

Overcoming Financial Barriers

Cost of addiction treatment should not stand in the way of your recovery, yet for many it is a real concern. Whether you are the sole source of income for your family or do not have adequate health insurance, covering treatment expenses can feel like a major hurdle in your sobriety journey. Financial concerns often prevent those in need of care from even exploring their options. While this life-changing treatment can be costly, the price of remaining in the grips of active substance abuse is far higher. From ruined relationships to legal issues and potentially life-threatening health effects, choosing not to seek treatment is a no-win scenario. Don’t lose hope; there are options available that can help.

Home and Family Obligations

Cost isn’t the only thing that keeps people from reaching out for help. Parents and caregivers who are experiencing drug and alcohol addiction may struggle when faced with the difficult choice of taking care of others or taking care of yourself. It may feel selfish or even cruel to leave those who depend on you behind while you seek recovery through inpatient rehab services. For some who may not have a trustworthy support system in place that can take over your duties, it may not feel like an option at all. 

If this is you, one of the most important things to realize is that your health and wellbeing must come first. As challenging as that may feel, the reality is you cannot put your best foot forward as a parent, caregiver, spouse, or friend if you are not prioritizing taking care of yourself. Often we find that our clients in these roles are struggling to stay afloat and using in order to cope with the stress, guilt, and anxiety associated with being a caregiver. This perpetual cycle of substance use is a symptom of that imbalance between caring for yourself and caring for others. Among other root causes, addressing these factors in your addiction will help to improve the way you show up for yourself and for others.

If at all possible, enlist the help of trusted family members and friends to help shoulder your home and family obligations during the course of your treatment. Your loved ones want to see you at your best; give them the opportunity to help support your recovery. If this solution is not viable for you, consider alternatives to inpatient treatment. Depending on your personal situation and treatment needs, you may be able to receive outpatient care, thus allowing you to continue tending to your home and family while achieving your recovery goals.

Beginning your recovery journey in the outpatient level of care is not advisable for all clients. If you have a history of polysubstance abuse, relapse, or co-occurring mental health disorders, inpatient treatment provides a safe, recovery-focused space for addressing the core causes of your substance abuse and building a solid foundation for your sober future. Admission to any of Niznik Behavioral Health’s nationwide recovery centers begins with a comprehensive assessment to determine your needs and the best course of action for you. We may also be able to provide you with resources for help in other areas such as dependent care during your course of treatment.

Career and Job Obligations

With many Americans living paycheck to paycheck, the prospect of leaving behind your job or career for drug and alcohol addiction treatment is daunting. Even though substance use impacts your ability to perform your job safely and to the best of your ability, many fear that admitting the problem will lead to termination and loss of income. This fear is completely understandable; however, you may have legal protections on your side.

The Family Medical Leave Act, or FMLA, entitles employees of covered businesses and organizations to job-protection and unpaid leave for qualified medical and family reasons. Because substance abuse disorders are recognized as a medical condition requiring specialized treatment, your rehabilitative care may qualify. Under these protections, employees who qualify are guaranteed up to 12 weeks of medical leave as well as preventing insurance companies from dropping coverage. 

FMLA applies to government employees, including those working in public schools, or in local, state, or federal government offices. For employees of privately held companies, you must meet the following requirements:

• Work at least 20 hours per week
• Maintain employment with the company for at least a year prior to treatment
• Work at or within 75 miles of a location with at least 50 employees

Contact your HR department for information about your rights under FMLA and application assistance.

Breaking Through Hesitance, Fear, and Distrust

Stigma and distrust are two major factors that may cause you to hesitate before taking the first steps into recovery. Reports of unsavory dealings in the recovery industry make it difficult to believe treatment actually works, let alone know who to trust. Horror stories from those who have had negative rehab experiences only further fuel wariness. They reinforce the false belief that trying to get sober doesn’t work and addiction is inescapable. Social stigmas around substance abuse disorders and addiction only further complicate the issue, as we fear judgement, ridicule, lost opportunities and relationships due to our struggles. 

As a disorder that affects the mind just as much as it does the body, addiction will do whatever it can to perpetuate itself. It will put you in harm’s way again and again in search of that next high. It will lead you to do and say things you would never otherwise, pushing away help while clinging to toxic relationships and situations. Despite every lie addiction will tell you, it does get better. Recovery and sobriety is challenging, but it’s a challenge worth taking– every time.

While we certainly cannot and do not invalidate the lived experiences and traumas of others, it’s important to remember each person’s journey is different. Just as addiction affects us all differently, our recovery journeys are just as unique. The reasons someone may struggle to achieve lasting sobriety are innumerable: unprocessed trauma, co-occurring mental health disorders, poor response to challenging situations and emotions, returning to an environment of active substance use post treatment, etc. Base your decision to seek help on you and your needs, not others. Take the time to do adequate research and make informed decisions about where you receive treatment, but don’t allow others to keep you captive in addiction. This journey is yours and yours alone. 

Misinformation and Lack of Awareness

Perhaps the most prominent and difficult to face hurdle in addiction recovery is recognizing that you have a problem at all. The term ‘addiction’ itself often conjures up a very specific image, allowing us to continue making excuses and ignoring the issue as long as we’re not ‘that guy.’ The social acceptability of certain kinds of substance use makes it easy to miss the signs of a deeper problem. Legal substances are falsely believed to be safer and less harmful than their illegal counterparts and party culture allows drug and alcohol misuse to be swept under the rug as ‘just having a good time.’

In reality, addiction and substance abuse disorders look different for everyone. They don’t discriminate, affecting people across all socioeconomic demographics. The life-threatening consequences of substance use are far-reaching and should not be ignored. Waiting for ‘rock bottom’ could be a fatal mistake. This is especially true as street markets for illicit substances become more risky and experimental, creating dangerous cocktails and selling them to unsuspecting victims. 

The best way to protect yourself and the people you love is through recovery. If you or someone you love is experiencing a drug or alcohol problem, Niznik Behavioral Health is here to help. We are a nationwide network of fully accredited treatment facilities dedicated to the lasting success of each and every client. Our treatment team takes the time to get to know each person and address their individual needs for a truly personalized recovery experience.

We understand what you’re going through, because many of us have been there too. Give us a call today to have a conversation about your options. It could change your life.