Drinking or using drugs may start out as a source of fun, a source of escape, or a learned method of dealing with your problems. For some people, substance use can turn into something bigger and out of control. Frequent drinking or drug use takes more energy and resources and begins to interfere with work, family, or other relationships.
There may be incidents that are dangerous or harmful to yourself or others or events that may even have legal consequences. At some point, you may ask yourself, “How did I get here?” Substance abuse can be subtle or obvious to you or others. The big question is, “When should I seek help for substance abuse?”
That First Drink
It always starts with that first drink, or perhaps the first time you use another substance. Whether the motivation was social or for fun, or an attempt to escape your pain, or something you’ve seen a parent or other family member do to cope, there is always a first time. Some people have no problems just using substances occasionally or socially. For others, that first experience is the first physical manifestation of an underlying or genetic tendency for addiction.
No one plans to become addicted to substances. It is difficult to know if you are one of those people who is more likely to become addicted or not. Alcohol and some other substances are legal for those 21 and older; it’s not like that first drink is breaking the law. It is when you drink or do enough drugs to create that physical compulsion in the brain and body that an addiction happens. For some substances and some people, that can happen quickly; for others, it can take longer.
When Substance Use is Socially Acceptable
When your family, friends, or co-workers use substances, you may also drink or do drugs to be social or to fit in. When something is acceptable in your social circle, it is less likely to seem unhealthy or risky. For many people, substance use is not risky. For others, it can be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The hard part is that you don’t know until perhaps it is too late.
Substance Abuse as a Learned Habit
Many people grow up with family or friends who use substances regularly. For many, it is a way to cope with their problems. Others may be functional alcoholics or perhaps not-so functional alcoholics. But when you learn that drinking or drug use is the way to get through each day, it is unlikely that you will see the risk of using substances yourself. Rather, you will do what you have seen because it is what you know.
“I Can Quit at Any Time”
One way to know that it is time to get help is if someone notices that your substance use is interfering with your life. If your response is, “I can quit at any time,” you probably won’t be able to quit on your own. This is a classic line that people use when they are in denial of the severity of their addiction. But if someone is talking to you about your substance use, or if you need to defend yourself about your behavior, then it is already time to get help.
Before Rock Bottom
Most people have to hit their own rock bottom. For some people, perhaps it is a DUI arrest. Others may lose friends and relationships, their job, their home, and more and still not be ready to say “enough is enough.” The ideal is that your rock bottom is either not so terrible or that you just realize that you need help before anything worse happens. If friends, family members, or co-workers try to stage an intervention, it doesn’t mean that they are controlling or over-reacting. It means that they care about you and that your substance use is visibly affecting your life.
Seeking Help Now
The chances are good that if you are asking about when you need to seek help, you probably need to seek help now. You don’t have to wait until you hit rock bottom. You don’t even need to wait until other people notice. If your substance use is impacting your life negatively, the sooner that you seek help, the sooner you get control of your life back.
When should I seek help for substance abuse? Addiction is not necessarily something that you can plan for or even predict. Whether your substance use begins with social or recreational use, or you are drinking or using drugs because it is a learned coping mechanism, whether or not it becomes an addiction is not always within your control. Denial may be one of the features of substance abuse, but you do not need to wait until you hit your rock bottom. You can seek treatment now before you lose any more of your friends, family, possessions, or life due to substance abuse. Rancho Milagro Recovery is a family-owned treatment center for addiction. Our Temecula, California ranch is the perfect place to start healing. In addition to the kind and caring staff members, our ranch also features several rescue animals that can add another level of compassion to your treatment. Call us at (951) 526-4582 to learn more about how we can help you step out of addiction and back into your life.