Why Am I Scared to Admit I Need Help?

Addiction is a powerful disease, and those living with an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or any other kind of substance may experience the negative effects of the disease and still find it difficult to reach out for help. Being scared to admit the need for help is common and a major barrier to otherwise effective treatment. Overcoming this fear and reaching out to family members, loved ones, or dedicated addiction and mental health treatment professionals is a huge accomplishment. Understanding this fear as a barrier and why it can be so intimidating for those scared to admit the need for help is essential for those looking to take their recovery into their own hands and commit to effective change. 

Addiction is incredibly complicated. There is no “easy” solution to overcoming its effects on a person’s mental health, physical health, and personal life. Many of those engaging with addictive substances may even be fully aware of the negative, destructive consequences of substance use and will continue to engage with such substances anyway, creating a very delicate and complex situation. Still, even in the face of these dangerous effects and negative consequences, it is completely normal to be scared about taking the plunge into effective residential drug or inpatient alcohol treatment.

Uncertainty and feeling as if admitting the need for help means admitting an array of mistakes, wrongdoings, and facing feelings of guilt, blame, and shame head-on is extraordinarily challenging. Pursuing treatment involves admitting a great deal of vulnerability, which can make anyone uncomfortable. However, it is also necessary to embrace the skills to challenge the effects of addiction and communicate with friends, family, and loved ones about the challenges that addiction has caused. 

Professional treatment is necessary not just to navigate withdrawal and the emotional turmoil of addiction but also to adopt the necessary language, skills, and more to create sustainable change. While those using drugs or alcohol rarely do so with an active malicious intent or to intentionally hurt those close to them, it is still a destructive situation. Being scared to admit the need for help is normal and even expected, and finding the right place, support, and community can empower each person to overcome this fear to begin their effective recovery journey.

Asking for help can be exceptionally difficult, especially for those overcoming the use of drugs or alcohol. However, that doesn’t mean that each person is scared for the same reasons. There can be a myriad of reasons why an individual may be scared to admit the need for help or treatment. Exploring each of these fears individually can inform the best approach to pursuing effective treatment as well as the best ways for families and friends to provide their support. 

Hawaii Island Recovery is committed to not just exploring the various reasons why an individual may be scared to admit the need for help but also working with individuals and their families to create the most understanding, sympathetic, and effective healing environment possible. Each recovery program provides education to family members while creating a safe space for those overcoming addiction to face their fears for a truly transformative recovery experience. 

Stigmas surrounding words like “addiction,” “treatment,” and “recovery” are massive obstacles to treatment and can compromise necessary dialogues on these topics before they even begin. These stigmas can cause those living with addiction to feel as if they cannot talk about these needs without feeling judged by others. Being labeled as an “addict” can be devastating, not only defining a person by their mistakes and the disease but also ignoring everything else that makes up that person’s identity. 

These stigmas can also cause those living with addiction to feel as if they are to blame for their addiction, when in reality, there may be many factors involved. Addiction is a disease that affects an individual in daily life, but it does not wholly define a person. Challenging stigmas and creating a space that avoids these stigmas is necessary to overcome feelings of blame, guilt, and shame that may otherwise cause an individual to be scared to admit the need for help or even talk about alcohol, drugs, or addiction in the first place. 

For families and supports, creating a destigmatized atmosphere is necessary to facilitate an effective dialogue. Avoiding using words like “addict” to describe the situation, creating an air of sympathy over blame, and talking about addiction as a disease separate from a person are all necessary to begin destigmatizing the atmosphere. While it may not be possible to control the language and attitudes of everyone, having a safe home space and accepting culture is paramount to opening a new dialogue about possible treatment for addiction while challenging feelings of blame and resentment. 

Addiction affects every facet of daily life. While it is common that those living with addiction may recognize that their use of drugs or alcohol is destructive, some may truly not understand the wide array of effects that it has. Some may realize that they drink or use drugs more than others but truly believe that they have a handle on it, while others may not recognize exactly how much is being used or how much money is being spent on addictive substances. 

Denial is common and is a normal defense mechanism for those scared to admit the need for change. However, finding ways to confront the extent of the effects of addiction without turning to blame is necessary. For some, this can be helping a loved one realize truly how much alcohol they are drinking, either by saving bottles found in the trash or tracking finances. Others may have to confront the interpersonal effects of addiction by exploring how important events may have been affected or missed due to drugs or alcohol. 

These conversations about denial are difficult to navigate. A caring, calm atmosphere is necessary to conduct such a conversation. It is also normal for those scared to admit the need for help to continue to be defensive about the situation or deny some of these impacts. Working with professionals to approach the situation carefully and create a situation to objectively address addiction without blaming another is necessary. Empowering those living with addiction to confront the extent of its effects without accusing them is a delicate but necessary balance to facilitate the need for change while situating oneself as a support.

Being scared to admit the need for help is common, especially if an individual is afraid of potential consequences. For many, to admit the need for help is to admit to all of the mistakes and damage that addiction has caused. Being afraid of starting this dialogue and opening oneself to the consequences of their actions is normal. However, it is also necessary. 

Many of those living with addiction may be afraid of the myriad of negative consequences that they will have to face. It is difficult to begin the process of making reparations for the mistakes made under the influence of addictive substances and addiction. However, others may be afraid of less obvious consequences. For instance, an individual may not want to be seen differently by loved ones and may feel as if admitting the need for help will put them in a vulnerable position. Others may fear that family members may treat them differently as a consequence of talking about addiction. The loss of freedoms, changes in personal relationships, and more are all common fears and can be a massive barrier.

Talking about addiction is complicated, but treating an individual as an adult capable of mistakes, decisions, and deserving of respect is essential. For some, family members may want to ensure that there are ways to talk about the consequences of a loved one’s actions, while others will want to ensure that they still hold loved ones accountable for such mistakes while supporting them throughout their journey of change. 

Those scared to admit the need for treatment may also be resistant to treatment due to either a misunderstanding or a lack of knowledge about the potential treatment options available. For some, ideas of “treatment” and “recovery” can come with preconceived images and ideas of sitting with a therapist in a room and talking about drugs and alcohol. Some may also be somewhat aware of what some treatment programs may look like and don’t feel like such an approach can be effective for their needs, either due to cultural differences, lack of faith in the program, or various other reasons. 

Being aware of the various treatment options is necessary to challenge misconceptions and empower each person to believe in their own potential for change and healing. Individualized treatment programs that can cater to the holistic healing of each individual are paramount, with Hawaii Island Recovery being an important option for those looking to explore sobriety in a new way. 

Calling to talk to various local treatment facilities and working with professionals can empower those who may benefit from treatment to explore the breadth of options available. Each person will have a unique journey, with their own identity, experiences, spiritual needs, and more throughout the process. Familiarizing oneself with the differences in local options and discussing available treatment modalities like individual and group therapy, experiential therapy, trauma-informed treatment options, and more can empower each person to find their best treatment option.

This also extends to those deciding between inpatient and outpatient treatment. Some may be reluctant to even consider treatment under the assumption they would have to sacrifice their professional life. Many may not want to take time off from work or may feel financially strained and cannot take time for themselves. Being aware of options to discuss not just the various treatment programs but also the therapeutic methodologies available, amenities, culture, and more can all empower each person to find a treatment they can truly commit to. 

For many living with addiction, the use of drugs or alcohol can be embedded into daily life. Entire schedules and routines can be developed around the use of drugs or alcohol, with them being a part of morning routines, expecting to have a drink at lunch, and more. An individual may have scheduled their days around creating opportunities to engage with drugs or alcohol. Even those who may realize that they would benefit from treatment to change these routines can still be reluctant to pursue treatment due to the unknowns involved in challenging these routines. 

Change is a constant in recovery, and it can be uncomfortable for those first exploring a sober life. Many may have a difficult time visualizing what life without these substances may be like or what they may do without the use of drugs or alcohol. This uncertainty can be incredibly intimidating. Exploring treatment options with robust communities, experiential therapy options, and a full schedule can empower those in recovery to set appropriate expectations while pursuing sobriety. 

Change can be positive, even while still being intimidating. Exploring new self-care opportunities and trying new experiences, hobbies, and more can all be ways of normalizing change and becoming more accustomed to the idea of a different daily life. 

Some may also see treatment as close to “impossible” for various reasons. Those living with addiction may believe that they would not be able to sustain sober change. This can be especially true if an individual is challenged by both addiction and a mental health disorder of any kind, known as co-occurring disorders. These situations are complicated and can create a cyclic and destructive pattern. For example, an individual may be struggling with anxiety and panic and engage with alcohol to placate their mind. However, the use of alcohol can also further feelings of anxiety, necessitating more and more alcohol to continue the cycle. 

Those living with co-occurring disorders or who may feel that they are somehow “beyond” help with addiction will need a unique, personalized approach to addiction recovery. Finding a facility that addresses mental health and addiction in tandem is paramount for effective treatment and instilling belief and confidence in a transformed future.

Lastly, it is common to be scared to admit the need for help due to feeling intensely alone in the challenges that addiction presents. Even the most well-meaning of supports, loved ones, and family members can have difficulty sympathizing and truly understanding the complex challenges of addiction. Those living with the disease can feel isolated from friends, family, and communities. Not only can this leave an individual living a physically isolated life, spending a lot of time alone, but also feeling emotionally isolated. This lack of feeling of support can further inform these feelings of fear. 

The first step into treatment through detox, outpatient care, or residential treatment is difficult, and acknowledging how difficult this decision is is necessary. There is nothing easy about addiction recovery, and each person will have to put in a lot of hard work to confront personal challenges, vulnerabilities, and mistakes and make profound changes to overcome the effects of addiction. Finding the right treatment program while educating supports, family members, and loved ones is all part of a comprehensive approach to healing. 

Those living with addiction are commonly scared to admit the need for help for various reasons. Understanding these barriers can empower families and loved ones to open a new dialogue about these barriers without blaming others for the effects of addiction. Education, understanding, sympathy, and much more are necessary to take this first step toward a transformed sober life. 

No two journeys with addiction are the same. Each person’s experiences will be unique, just as their feelings of fear, reluctance, and more will be unique to their situations. However, each person’s treatment program and support should be just as unique, and there are always options available to challenge these feelings of fear and find a treatment program that is right for each person. 

It is completely normal to be scared to admit the need for help, and there can be many reasons why you or a loved one may be reluctant to consider professional treatment. However, addiction is still an incredibly powerful disease, and overcoming this fear is the first step in a truly transformative approach to residential drug or inpatient alcohol treatment. Hawaii Island Recovery is more than a treatment facility. Rather, it is a community of understanding peers and professionals who have lived through the challenges of addiction themselves, with many facing the same fears and challenges that continue to impact you or your loved one. For more information on how we can help you challenge fear, call (866) 390-5070.