Addiction takes a lot from us. That sometimes includes our families, friends, jobs, and almost every part of our lives. Recovery is the only way for us to begin regaining control over our lives, but it’s not easy to do. Losing control feels effortless, and before you know it, you’ll wonder how you got to where you are. Regaining control takes a lot of hard work, but that’s how you know it’s worth it.
Some of us struggle with asking for help. Thanks to the inaccurate stereotypes men have faced for decades, admitting we can’t do something alone isn’t always easy. It’s something we need to accept, though, if we hope to regain control over our lives. You don’t have to live in active addiction anymore – you can seek treatment today.
What Does Losing Control Look Like?
Losing control looks different for everyone struggling with addiction and also depends on the type of dependence. For example, losing control in relation to a substance use disorder (SUD) may lead to a long list of chronic and potentially deadly conditions.
Substance abuse and SUD do not happen all at once. Dependency is typically a gradual process. In the link above, MedlinePlus describes the stages of drug use that can lead to SUD:
- Experimental use: for recreational purposes and usually involves peers, done for recreational use
- Regular use: when you may have an increased tolerance to the substance but begin missing work or neglecting other responsibilities. You may also start worrying about losing your drug source, begin using it to reduce negative feelings, and isolate yourself from friends and family
- Problem, or risky use: defined by a complete loss of motivation. You may no longer care about losing your job or neglecting your family, and behavioral changes are apparent. Substance use becomes more important than anything else in your life, and you may make unethical decisions to support your habit, such as stealing or selling drugs
- Addiction: the final stage, in which you can not go a day without substance use, continue denying there is a problem, and it begins to take a dangerous toll on your physical health. This is the stage where control is completely lost, but you can not see it or are in denial.
Behavioral Addictions
Losing control may look slightly different for men struggling with behavioral addictions. Some of the most common behavioral addictions include gambling, food, sex, video games, and even the internet. There are many similarities between SUD and behavioral addictions. They both consume your life, can ruin your relationships, and require treatment.
Losing control in relation to a behavioral addiction will typically consist of lying about the addiction, making unethical decisions to continue the compulsion, and sometimes being in denial. A significant difference is that a behavioral addiction may not directly lead to a chronic condition like SUD. However, it can lead to other mental health issues, the loss of family, and cause some individuals to contemplate suicide.
Now that we see how losing control in relation to SUD or a behavioral addiction can be dangerous, you may wonder if losing control is necessary for treatment. Let’s explore this further.
Is Losing Control Necessary?
Part of entering treatment is realizing what addiction has done to your life and accepting that you need help. Unfortunately, we can not always come to this realization until something significant happens or we lose something of immense value. The goal should always be to seek treatment before irrevocable damage is caused, but that is not always the case.
Treatments to Help You Start Regaining Control
Healing Pines Recovery, a men’s-only facility, can help you start regaining control over your life and addiction today through a number of our specialized services. Our individualized approach to treatment allows us to tailor programs to your needs while you connect and bond with other men who are also trying to regain control of their lives.
A residential treatment program at Healing Pines Recovery can offer:
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- A number of holistic approaches focused on treating the mind and body
These programs will help you get a handle on your addiction and regain control of your life during treatment. What about after treatment, though?
Continue Regaining Control in Recovery
Before leaving our facility, you should make a recovery plan. This plan can be a guide as you navigate life post-treatment. Treatment offers you the tools needed to regain control of your life, but a lot of work comes after you leave. Healing your relationships, reconnecting with your family, and making amends for the past are vital parts of your recovery. It may seem like a lot, so start out small. Begin by setting achievable goals for yourself that will slowly but surely help you regain control over your life.
Mental health issues, addiction, and substance use disorders take a lot away from us. They affect our relationships, hurt our families, and take control of almost every area of our lives. Men sometimes find it hard to ask for help, but you must seek treatment if you recognize the damage addiction is causing in your life. Our men’s-only residential facility at Healing Pines Recovery offers a number of treatment programs and a supportive community to support you as you embark on your recovery journey. Let today be the day you make a change and begin regaining control over your life. Call (720) 575-2621 for more information and start your journey.
