I believe it takes a lot of courage for a woman to finally admit they have a drug problem and need help. It is not a sign of weakness. Thousands of people struggle everyday with drugs, many of which never get the help they need. Some who do get help often relapse. It takes a lot of inner strength to finally realize you are powerless of the addiction and that you can't help yourself on your own. The "-ism" is to powerful once it grabs hold of a person.I think it's a sign of weakness when a person doesn't take the first step towards recovery by admitting their problem. After all, that would be the harder path and it's easier to remain in the comfort of their addiction no matter how debilitating it is. I think this is the shortest blog I have ever written but it's in response to a pretty cut and dry question!
I have personal experience, not with drugs and alcohol, but with a particular recovery program that deals with any person's habits and hang-ups. In this recovery program you find people coming from all walks of life battling different things. The women that I have met within who are trying to recover from drugs or alcoholism are so strong. They are honest in recovery and what their goals are and know that they can't do it alone but that it is a daily personal choice as to whether they will relapse or not. Now to me, that is not weakness but an incredible amount of strength to wake up everyday and sometimes hourly, choose to be sober and live that way. To give up is to be weak.
Heather,
ReplyDeleteI agree that admitting to a substance abuse problem is not a sign of weakness. It takes great strength and courage for a woman to admit and ask for help.
I had to visit a substance abuse center for one of my elective. These women work very hard everyday to stay clean. I commend them for their strength and courage.
Heather,
ReplyDeleteAdmitting you have a problem does take strength. The rehabilitation path is a hard one. When I quit smoking, it took me a full year to get to a point where I did not want to smoke daily. The cravings still happen every so often, I don't know if they will every fully go away. When I quit, I had to learn how to do things each season without smoking. I had to learn to go swimming or to the beach without smoking, go to football games without smoking, sitting on the porch with coffee without smoking, travel without smoking and going to parties without smoking. It is a long process, but well worth it in the end. For me, the hardest part wasn't admitting I needed to quit because that is obvious; the hardest part was living day to day without giving into the habit. I know stopping smoking isn't the same as quitting drugs, but in a way it is harder because you are able to smoke in public. Even though it isn't necessarily socially acceptable, it is more acceptable than illicit drugs. Good luck to all the women you know in recovery.
Kerri
Hi Heather,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that admitting that you have a problem makes you stronger because you are realizing that what you are doing is a hazard to your health and is interferring with your every day life. Every day you take another step toward a positive and healthier life style when you are getting help and that is already hard enough to give up would be take two gigantic leaps backwards. Great post.
Shenita Jolivette
Hi, I love your blog like always and you are so very right about everything you said I agree. And I know It take a lot to get over something like this but I know if someone really want to do something they can do it or if they feel that they have a reason to get better like kids they make you change your life that’s why they are god angels.
ReplyDeleteHeather,
ReplyDeleteYou are correct admitting a problem is a sign of strength. It also provides a person with more avenues for health. When addition or any other problem is a secret, the support system a person needs to overcome their problem is absent or severly weakened. Concerned family, friends, and associates can take an active part in encouragement, protection, and guidance when they are aware of a need. Admitting a problem can allow the creation of a support team who will add much to overcoming the problem.
Linda
Hi Heather,
ReplyDeleteI look forward to following your blog every week. I admire the passion you possess on a number of issues. I think you definitely said a mouthful when you stated, admitting you have an addiction takes strength not weakness. For anyone who has ever struggled with a compulsive obsession with a worldly good, strength is definitely a key factor to sobriety. I think it is great that you chose to include your personal experiences into this weeks blog; it lets me know you truly care. Thanks.
Martinetta