Substance abuse disorder problems in the United States have been on the rise. Often, a roadblock to getting help has been the negative stigma associated with alcoholism and drug addiction. Addiction is a disease that affects personal character, not the opposite.
A critical part of recovery from such a baffling condition of mind and body is through treatment. Many suffering with an addiction choose treatment centers to begin their journey in recovery.
However, you may worry that you will be judged at treatment centers for drugs. Treatment is not about judgment, it’s about help. Instead of being judged for drugs, treatment centers will offer you much more.
Judgment is Unacceptable
Judgment for your lifestyle, your personal beliefs, or the substance abuse habits you suffer from is not part of any treatment model. In fact, judging others for who they are or what they did is contradictory to anything you will be taught during treatment.
Judging someone for their drug habits would insinuate that something is wrong with the person. The complete opposite is true. People with substance abuse problems, alcoholics and drug addicts alike, are not bad people.
People who suffer from an addiction are people who are sick with a disease. You do not need judgment or condemnation. You are a good person who needs help to get well. Instead of being judged at a treatment center for drugs, here is what you can expect.
Compassion
Three key principles establish the framework for addiction recovery. Collectively these are the opposite of judgment. When you begin your treatment center program, you will find a welcoming sense of compassion during the first call you make for help.
This compassion extends into counseling sessions and group therapy opportunities. Professional addiction specialists understand about being judged because many outside people do not understand addiction. Compassion for your disease is what you will find in treatment.
Understanding
One important reason you will find such an honest sense of compassion at an addiction treatment center is because they understand. The individuals who will part of the program with you have their own stories of pain and suffering.
Many of the counselors and staff are in recovery themselves. Treatment is a place where you will find compassion, not because someone insisted that it’s the right thing to do, or way to act, but because they understand.
Experience
A sense of compassion is born out of understanding how devastating substance abuse disorder can be. To develop this compassionate understanding, many have followed a similar journey. Having experienced the struggle makes those who have found recovery tremendous assets.
You will hear experience from knowledgeable, trained addiction specialists. You will be able to relate to the experiences and stories from those like yourself who battle substance abuse every day. Having the experience to understand how difficult addiction can be makes it virtually impossible to judge another.
Why it Matters
Substance abuse is a misunderstood problem. Those who have not experienced the day-to-day struggles of drug addiction and alcoholism can be quick to judge. It isn’t their fault. They often lack compassion because they lack understanding through experience.
Explaining why those who may not suffer from a debilitating addiction doesn’t make it okay. However, it should offer you some solace as to why it happens so frequently. This only matters when you make the wise decision to seek help through treatment.
It matters, because you will experience an astonishing difference in how you are treated when you enter a treatment program. We explained why judging you is wrong, and why some people mistakenly judge you in a negative light.
Feeling the guilt and shame from judgment can cause you to isolate. That is a horrible and dangerous place for someone with a substance abuse disorder. You must know that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of wisdom and strength.
Struggling with an addiction can be a lonely place. It can be very difficult not to judge yourself, let alone deal with criticizing and deeming judgments from people who do not understand. Treatment centers offer a fresh air of compassionate understanding born out of experience.
This is vital in helping you start a new journey living free of your addiction. If you feel you have a problem with drugs or alcohol, don’t judge yourself. Reach out for help. There are caring and compassionate people who want to help. They will not judge you, they will help you. Ask for help today at 772-266-5320, because tomorrow may be too late.
