Addiction – When and Where To Get The Help You Need

The first step to getting help with any problem is admitting there is a problem in the first place. Many people bury their head in the sand for a long time before they can admit the truth, whether this is from fear, guilt, shame or another reason it is very often the case that people don’t seek help straight away. However, once they are ready to face the problem head-on there is a lot of help and support available, knowing where to find it can be on the tricky side if you’re not sure where to look. Here are a few of my suggestions

Family and friends support

Speaking to your friends and family may seem impossible but they have probably already noticed changes that you hadn’t realised were there. Don’t alienate the people closest to you although I suspect most people don’t do this on purpose. Be open and honest with them, tell them the whole truth, not just the bits that you think they need/want to hear. Being honest from the start will mean they help you more and are more likely to keep on helping you. Push people away, be mean, nasty or treat them badly often means they turn their backs on you for good.

Getting the professional help you need

If you have been an addict for a long time and you have tried to safely self exclude yourself from your addiction then you may have to admit defeat and turn to the professionals for help. They deal with all sorts of situations and people – they do not judge in any circumstances and treat every addict as an individual. Your first port of call might be the NHS website, your GP or medical practitioner. They will be able to point you in the right direction, offer advice, possible rehab and councilling where they see the need. Major addictions in the UK include:

• Gambling – I love to play bingo and have a bet every now and again on the horses. But I also know when to stop and have set monthly limits on all my accounts to ensure that I only spend a small amount. I know that I am lucky that I don’t have an addictive personality and that I can control my spending. This isn’t the case for many people and it can be very easy to get addicted to gambling as it can take hold without you even realising it. There is a lot of help out there from providers such as GamCare if you are worried about your once fun hobby has turned into a full-blown addiction.
• Drugs – Probably the most common addiction people think of when addiction comes to mind. Drug addiction comes in many forms and it’s not just illegal drugs that people become addicted to. At the minute there is a huge number of people addicted to over the counter painkillers and many of them aren’t even aware that their addiction is a problem as the drugs are widely available. If you have worries about your addiction speak to your GP or a professional body. Drug withdrawal can be dangerous and should be done so in a controlled manner. If you are in the US and concerned about addiction you can seek help from American Addiction Centers. They will offer advice and help you beat your addiction. For more information visit them here and via their Youtube channel too.
• Smoking – Smoking tobacco is both a physical addiction and a psychological habit. The nicotine from cigarettes provides a temporary and addictive high. In recent years, e-cigarettes have become a very popular stop smoking aid in the UK. Vaping is far less harmful than cigarettes and can help you quit smoking for good. Eco Vape are a leading online vape shop & offer a great range of vaping hardware as well as e liquid. They manufacture all their e liquid so can guarantee the highest quality. They also offer vape starter kits which are great for people looking to transition from smoking to vaping.
• Alcohol – This is an addiction my family are dealing with right now and it is horrible. It steals a person and it really does creep up on those involved. It is a long process on the road of recovery and I’m not sure my family member is fully on the road yet but they are getting the help needed to make a good start and hopefully stay there. If you or some you know is suffering from an addiction to alcohol please seek help, the sooner the better. Speak to your GP or even consider joining a community such as Alcoholics Anonymous where you can get help and support from both councillors and people who are in the same situation.
• Other addictions – It’s not just smoking, gambling, drug or alcohol addictions that are a problem faced by many. Other addictions include the internet, work, social media, porn and even computer games. See your GP if you are concerned about any type of addiction. They will be able to help you overcome your addictions.

If you or someone you know has an addiction, please seek help as soon as you can.

*This is a collaborative post*

**Any information provided here is for advice only if you are worried you may have an addiction please speak to a professional who will be able to guide you in the right direction**