How to Get Help for An Addiction When You’re a Working Professional

by: Eva Benoit www.evabenoit.com

Is it time to get help for your substance abuse? If you’ve been putting off getting help because you think it will negatively impact your career, think again. The addiction will hurt your career far worse than kicking the habit, and you don’t have to give up your work to do the work of getting off drugs and alcohol.

An Addictive Culture

Someone dies in the U.S. every single day from a drug-related overdose, according to Modern Healthcare. Since 2000, deaths from drug overdoses have increased by a shocking 137 percent. This is unacceptable and it is terrifying. If you suspect that you need help quitting drugs and alcohol, then you're probably right. The first step is identifying the problem and facing it rather than ignoring it.

When to Get Help

When your desire to use drugs or alcohol is too strong to manage and you cannot stop even when you want to stop, you need to get help for your addiction, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. If you spend a lot of time thinking about substance abuse, and can't seem to cut down no matter what promises you make to yourself, then you have a problem.

It's OK to admit to having a problem and to seek help. In fact, that's the right thing to do. When you're using drugs just to get through the day, or your first thought in times of stress is to turn to abusing substances, you need to get help right now. And yes, you can do it without killing your career.

Break the Cycle

Many people think of drug addicts as people with few responsibilities, the down-on-their-luck types who hang out in shabby places with shady people. The truth is, people from all backgrounds with bank accounts of all sizes can become addicts. Many executives and professionals abuse drugs and alcohol, and history is littered with stories of incredibly powerful, successful people who struggled with addiction. You don't have to sacrifice your professional life to kick the habit of drugs and break the cycle of substance abuse. Once you do break the pattern and away from addition, you'll be able to devote even more of yourself to your professional life.

According to WSRP's findings of a study released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, most substance abusers also hold full-time jobs. Are you one of those people? Think about it this way: if you can use and still work, you can recover and still work as well.

Rehab Centers

The American Society of Addiction Medicine has many resources for those seeking help with addiction. There are addiction centers and outpatient programs for substance abusers all over the country. Intensive outpatient programs allow you to work on recovery and still maintain a presence at your regular work as well.

Find a program that you can participate in with your work schedule, and make time for your recovery. Some rehab centers specialize in catering to executives and other working professionals, knowing how challenging it can be to recover while maintaining a full-time job.

Change Your Life

There is no such thing as a functional alcoholic or a functional drug user. If you can’t stop, if you’re controlled by your cravings, you need to take control of your life and kick the habit. If you managed to become a working professional while hooked, you can definitely mange the challenge of keeping your job while you get on the road to recovery. The best time to start is right now.