Roadblocks - SBA lesson 2

So you're in this course because you think you might have some level of addiction problem, or maybe your family member thinks that, and that's why you're in this course. Don't worry, because that's exactly what this course is designed to do. Not only am I going to help you understand what addiction is and what addiction isn't so that you can decide for yourself, but you'll also be able to decide if you do think you have a problem, how severe that problem is, whether or not you need to get help, or you can do it on your own. And if you do need help, you'll be able to decide for yourself whether what would be the best fit or option for you. Now, the reason it's so helpful for you to make these decisions is because you're the only one that really knows what's going on. You know yourself best, you know what works for you and what doesn't. Now, before we get into the part where we talk about what addiction is and what it isn't, it's important that you're open minded about the information that I'm going to give you. And in order to be open minded about it, you need to identify if there's anything that might be roadblocking you or preventing you from from seeing whether or not you have a problem or acknowledging it, or figuring out how bad it is. You see, it's completely normal to have these fears, worries, or apprehension about this whole process. And just by acknowledging that they're there, you'll be able to set them aside and look at the information that I'm giving you objectively using critical thinking and not being all clouded with emotional stuff. So before we go any further, let's take a look at some of the really common fears that people have that might be holding you hostage and could block you from being able to see the situation of objectively. For example, to start off with, you may have some sort of resistance or anxiety about the word addiction, maybe the word itself. You don't like it. You don't want to say I have addiction problem. You don't want to put that label on yourself, maybe because you have all these judgments in your head about it or these preconceived notions. So you could be blocking yourself from seeing that you have a problem because you have a lot of stigma or issue attached to the word itself. Or you could be worried about what people would think of you if all of a sudden you didn't drink or use or do whatever it is that everyone's used to. You doing. You might be concerned about how that will look and what people will say. You might be afraid to acknowledge that you have some level of addiction problem, because in your mind, you think, if I acknowledge that, that means I have to stop completely. Now, that could definitely be a fear that would hold someone back from acknowledging the issue. You might be worried about identifying the problem and addressing the problem, because it might mean that you have to disconnect some relationships that you have in your life, and you might not be ready to let go of some of those friendships or even family members. You could be worried about losing your own personal identity. I mean, everyone knows you a certain way. Maybe you're the fun guy and you're always at the parties and you're expected to sort of keep everyone entertained or be buying the rounds of drinks. And you're a little worried about who will you be if you're not that person. It's possible that you're worried that you aren't strong enough to beat the addiction. And so if you don't acknowledge that you have an addiction, then you don't have to try to do anything about it. Here's a big one. You might be afraid that if you decide to get sober, that you will never have fun again and that life will just plain suck without it. That's a huge one for lots of people. Maybe you're worried that you won't be able to manage your chronic pain or other medical problem that you have. Maybe you're using substances to help manage or get some relief from that, and you're afraid that if you stop that, that pain or medical problem will be out of control and unbearable. Are you afraid if you stop using the substance that you might be less productive or less creative or have less energy? Lastly, are you worried that if you admit you have an addiction that you're going to lose the option to make a decision to use drink, whatever, for yourself. So, for example, if I say I'm an alcoholic, that means I have to stop completely right now. Never again. All of these things are normal fears and worries. Maybe you have a fear or worry or concern that I didn't even talk about. Well, what I want you to know is all of those concerns and apprehensions and anxieties are completely normal. And some of them have a little validity to them. But what we really got to do is set those fears aside. We're just gonna. We're just gonna put them over here for a minute and. And pretend they're not there while we look at the objective information about what addiction looks like and what it doesn't. Because if you're being plagued by all those fears and concerns, and you look at the information I give you through the lens, through that filter with all those fears in it, you're not going to be able to see the truth for yourself. So in order to get rid of those possible roadblocks, let's do a little bit more in depth thinking so you can identify specifically if any of those fears I named are bothering you or concerns that you're having or or maybe one I didn't name. Let's deal with those first so that we can set them aside and look at the next piece of information objectively. In the next section, you'll have a little writing prompt that will help you think this situation through more thoroughly.