Addiction is not a moral failing, and it’s certainly not something to be ashamed of. However, we understand that it can be tough to admit you need help for any addiction-related issue because of the stigma surrounding it. In addition, addiction is a condition that affects your whole life—your health, mental health, family relationships, finances, and career all suffer when you actively engage in substance abuse-related behavior. To get better and overcome your addiction, you’ll need professional treatment from licensed therapists, such as at Passages Malibu and Passages Ventura.
The Damage Addiction Causes to Your Health
Your addiction is a problem that’s damaging your health and the health of those around you. Addiction affects your mental and physical health, as well as any relationships that you have. It may also cause financial problems for you and the people close to you.
If left untreated, addiction can cause severe damage to your own life and the lives of those closest to you.
The Damage Addiction Causes to Your Mental Health
It’s essential to recognize that addiction can cause, exacerbate or worsen existing mental health issues. Addiction often goes hand-in-hand with mental health issues and is associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders. It can also make it harder for people to manage their depression or anxiety without professional help.
In addition to its dangers, addiction can seriously affect the rest of your life. For example, it might keep you from getting a job or going to school; it might lead you away from relationships with friends and family members; it may even interfere with your ability to take care of responsibilities at home, like paying bills or cleaning up after yourself.
The Damage Addiction Causes to Your Family
Addiction can disrupt your most precious relationships, including those you have with family.
Children in particular, can be deeply affected by a parent’s addiction, as they may feel abandoned or neglected.
Additionally, addiction can lead to problems such as domestic violence, child abuse, and divorce, which can have long-term negative impacts on the entire family. It is important for individuals struggling with addiction to seek help and for families to find support to heal from the damage that addiction can cause.
The Damage Addiction Causes to Your Finances and Career
According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, the financial cost of addiction is large. It costs the United States $740 billion per year in health care expenses, lost work productivity, and criminal justice costs.
The damage that addiction causes to your career go beyond monetary losses. According to a recent report by Harvard Business Review, a drug or alcohol problem can lead you to lose your job even if you’re not fired from it directly. The report found that 7 percent of people who were addicted lost their jobs because of their substance abuse issues over five years—and these figures were based before opioid abuse became rampant in America today.
Addiction is Not a Moral Failing
It is essential to understand that addiction is not a moral failing. It does not indicate weakness. Instead, addiction is caused by underlying issues that need to be addressed for a full recovery to be successful.
At Passages, our team of experts help clients identify and heal their underlying causes of addiction. These underlying causes fuel your addiction, which will continue until those underlying conditions are healed. That is why it is crucial to work with a team of experienced addiction specialists who know exactly how to help you break through every obstacle that’s holding you back from being your best, most healthy self.
Asking for help for your addiction is essential for healing.
The decision to seek professional help is essential in your recovery. It can be overwhelming, but you are safe when you come to us at Passages. When you call our treatment center, you can rest assured that you are communicating with individuals who care about you and want to help you.
Don’t wait until later. Please don’t wait until your addiction gets worse. The sooner you let go of denial and look at your situation through the eyes of your loved ones who want you to get help, the better off you will be.
Seek help from your family and friends when necessary as well—they may be able to provide support or additional resources that could be helpful to you on your journey back toward recovery from addiction.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, don’t wait any longer to get the help you deserve. Contact Passages Malibu today to learn more about our world-renowned addiction treatment program. Together, we can work towards a happier, healthier future for you and your family.