Most people who are victims of drug abuse usually put off the idea of going to rehabilitation facilities due to several reasons. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDH), about 20 million people in the United States are caught up in drug addiction. But only 10% of them ever get treatment for their substance use.
Generally, these people often find it shameful to discuss their fears of going to rehab with their loved ones. In some cases, they may not think that they need to get help. Other people with addiction issues always seem to have an excuse to avoid going to rehab. This is because they do not believe there’s anything wrong with what they are doing.
Fortunately, there are many ways these people can work past their excuses and realize signing up for outpatient or inpatient drug rehab programs is the best option for them.
What Are the Most Common Excuses for Not Going to Rehab?
The decision to go to a treatment center is often difficult because the patient must first admit they need help.
Aside from pride, guilt, and social stigma getting in the way of recovery, there are many other reasons why people considering going to a treatment center choose to stay away instead.
Below are five of the most common excuses for not going to outpatient or inpatient drug rehabilitation.
I Can Quit Whenever I Want
Many people with substance use disorder believe they can stop using drugs and alcohol and make a fresh start whenever they want.
An addict may also refuse help for addiction treatment to avoid drawing attention to their substance use disorder. They may do this so that they can continue using the drug or because they believe they will eventually get sober on their own.
While an individual can get sober and stay sober on their own, it is a potentially dangerous thing to do. Attempting to quit without professional help can worsen the patient’s mental and physical symptoms of addiction.
Rehab is too Expensive
Like pride, financial costs can drive an addict to make excuses to stop rehabilitation. Fortunately, many employers are willing to assist their employees by:
- Helping them get into treatment programs faster
- Coming up with employee assistance programs that allow addicts to get free services or discounted rates
Moreover, most rehab centers work with insurance providers to help cover substance abuse treatment costs. And in cases where insurance isn’t accepted, many rehabilitation centers have scholarship programs to help those dealing with substance abuse receive the care they need.
I Don’t Have a Drug Addiction
Denial is another common excuse for people struggling with drug abuse. Ambivalence to addiction is relatively common when dealing with substance abuse.
According to the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Services Administration, ambivalence is the state of using a drug despite knowing its adverse side effects.
If a person continues to misuse drugs even as they see the risks escalating, they need help.
They might have tried to stop drinking alcohol or doing drugs many times before and failed. Eventually, denial catches up to people struggling with addiction. The symptoms of substance use disorder can worsen to the extent that they can’t be ignored without severe consequences.
My Family and Friends Will Know
Addiction is usually regarded as a shameful condition within society. As a result, an addict might feel that they will be disrespected if their loved ones know they are using drugs.
This can easily drive a person to deny their condition and try to conceal it, increasing fears of rehab.
If a person has reached the final stages of addiction, their family and friends probably already suspect there’s a problem. So, trying to conceal it serves no practical purpose.
If their acquaintances were going to turn on them because of their addiction, they would have already done so.
I’m Not as Bad as Other Addicts
Everyone struggling with substance use disorder experiences different side effects and withdrawal symptoms. Some people’s health deteriorates much faster than others, but no matter when this happens, they are all addicts.
One of the common excuses to stop rehabilitation is waiting to hit the worst point or bottom of addiction. However, for some people, the bottom and lowest point of their addiction can mean death.
Individuals who continue misusing drugs without addressing the problem might end up just like the people they used as examples of addicts that need help.
Rebuttals to Excuses for Not Going to Rehab
For many addicts, seeking medical assistance is the first step toward recovery. However, for some, taking this first step can be challenging.
Here’s a rebuttal for the abovementioned excuses that addicts make to avoid rehab.
Answer: I Can Quit Whenever I Want
Being self-sufficient and independent is always considered admirable. However, it is also commendable for a person to reach out and ask for help when they recognize they need it.
Seeking out medical assistance can be what helps them address their addiction. Especially if someone has already tried and failed to quit in the past.
Answer: Rehab is too Expensive
If the person managing their condition has insurance, it will likely cover the drug addiction treatment.
Borrowing from friends and family can also be an effective way to raise outpatient and inpatient treatment funds. Additionally, most treatment facilities have flexible payment options to make the process affordable.
Answer: I Don’t Have a Drug Addiction
It is essential to recognize the use of drugs does not reflect a person’s character. Having a substance use disorder doesn’t make someone a bad person. Being ready to get assistance for the disorder means a person is prepared to get their life back on track.
Answer: My Family and Friends Will Know
Contrary to popular belief, friends and family usually support the people they care about in getting the assistance they need.
Some even admire the courage and determination it takes to admit an addiction problem and seek professional help.
Answer: I’m Not as Bad as Other Addicts
A person’s health does not need to be entirely deteriorated by drugs before they go to drug rehab. Pointing at individuals who are worse off is only a convenient way of denying one’s problems and postponing the inevitable.
How to Reduce Anxiety About Rehab
Anxiety is a common medical condition for people with substance use disorders. Although this condition is a reasonable human response, it is also an emotional reaction. Feelings of anxiety can cause a person to over-examine situations and paralyze them when they encounter fearful circumstances.
Using drugs and alcohol might help mitigate anxious feelings. However, they tend to worsen the situation eventually, especially for those struggling to quit drugs.
Fortunately, there are much better and healthier ways to cope with feelings of anxiety than through the misuse of drugs.
This includes:
- Yoga
- Mindfulness and Meditation
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Getting plenty of sleep
Making informed and healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercising regularly and eating healthy, can also reduce anxiety.
Help is Available at New Method Wellness
While people struggling with substance abuse are often quick to find excuses to stop rehabilitation, addiction treatment is the best alternative. Professional medical treatment can equip you with the necessary skills to overcome drug addiction.
Our outpatient and inpatient rehab treatment programs at New Method Wellness offer an all-inclusive approach that looks into behavioral issues, behavioral health, and more. We believe in inspiring our clients to face their fears, discover the root of their issues, and reclaim their lives.
Contact us today to learn more about rehab avoidance and how we can help you make a fresh start.
