Several people do not seek recovery for addiction – in fact, the majority of people don’t: “In 2021, 94 percent of people aged 12 or older with a substance use disorder did not receive any treatment.”
For some, the reason for neglecting treatment is because they do not believe they need it. But others experience different roadblocks to recovery, including challenges with cost, no support system and overwhelming emotions like fear.
Addressing these roadblocks and finding ways around them/through them, is crucial to not only a successful recovery, but an overall improvement in mental health.
Common roadblocks to addiction recovery
Not everyone is going to encounter the same roadblocks to addiction recovery. Some might have financial difficulties that challenge their recovery; others may have peers who are unsupportive and cause more harm than good.
A successful recovery includes taking a look at these barriers and understanding them so that they can be better addressed and appropriately handled.
Financial constraints
Therapy and rehab can be expensive – there is simply no way to sugarcoat that. Thankfully, however, recent changes in insurance policies have made addiction treatment so much more accessible. Several treatment programs are now willingly accepting and working in conjunction with insurance providers to ensure recovery options are available to more people than ever before.
For example, Bluff Augusta is extremely proud to announce that its detoxification and residential addiction treatment services are now in-network with Anthem-BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna and Tricare/Humana. As a result, we are now able to offer comprehensive addiction treatment services to a wider range of the population.
Fear
Fear is an enormous barrier to receiving addiction treatment for many reasons. Some may struggle with the belief that recovery is even possible for them; others may struggle with the fear of what recovery will look like, including the mental battle that it inevitably is; and some may fear the change that recovery entails.
Switching up your lifestyle, your habits and routines, and your friends, even, is a giant adjustment, even if substance abuse is not involved. But when recovery is a factor in addition to all these changes, it can feel incredibly daunting. This is why finding a supportive recovery facility is crucial to a successful journey.
A co-occurring mental health condition
Oftentimes substance use disorder arises as a result of, or in addition to a mental health condition that already exists. This mental health disorder, be it anxiety, depression, PTSD or ADHD, can present some challenges to someone who desires recovery.
Sometimes these mental health disorders work to convince clients that their battle with addiction is not that bad; sometimes they feed the addiction in that substance use is the only way to numb the symptoms of anxiety, depression, etc.; and other times the individual is not even aware of the reality that it is a mental health condition with which they are struggling.
A lack of external support
If the environment you find yourself in is one where drug use, excessive alcohol consumption and other reckless behaviors are condoned or even encouraged, it can be incredibly difficult to set boundaries and say “no” in pursuit of sobriety.
For those who do not have good support at home, or who have been rejected as a result of addiction recovery, the fear of how those relationships may change during recovery can feel incredibly daunting.
This is why it is so important to find a treatment center that provides support from both the treatment staff and also offers opportunities to build relationships with other individuals in group counseling sessions.
Addressing recovery barriers
Now that you understand what some of the more common roadblocks to addiction tend to be, it is time to discuss how those obstacles can be best addressed.
When it comes to finances, reach out to your preferred treatment facility and see what options they offer in regards to insurance, scholarships and other financial opportunities. Finances should not come between you and recovery, so if you feel trapped by this roadblock, take the time to contact the rehab center and see how they may be able to help support you.
Fear, unfortunately, is something most people have to address initially themselves. But it might be as simple as stating your reality plain and simple to yourself to help you start working through it. Admit to yourself that you are afraid, but then slowly start asking yourself why. As you delve deeper into this, you might learn that some of your fears don’t deserve this level of control and you may begin to slowly find healing through their release.
Recovery includes changes, and this may mean leaving behind people who do not support your recovery. This is not an easy task, but it’s also why finding a supportive treatment center with group therapy options is important. Feeling like a team on a journey is invaluable and will continue to help through all stages of sobriety.
Ready to begin your journey?
If you are ready to face the challenges of recovery and embrace healing and sobriety, Bluff Augusta is here to help in every way. Contact us to begin your sobriety journey by calling our offices at 844-242-0806 or by contacting us online to learn more.