So, you’ve decided to get sober. You have done the research. Maybe you are going to try outpatient, or commit to inpatient. Maybe you have decided to undergo medically supervised detox. Now, you have to figure out what your life is going to look like without the high. For many of us, treatment is complicated with obstacles. Most of us have jobs and taking time off to get well is not easy. Internally, we might have convinced ourselves that the job will grind itself into ruin if we aren’t there. Often, we worry about what our boss will think or do. It might feel like we are letting them down or that they will retaliate for taking the time off. It’s not like most of us are rich. We have to work.
What do I say?
Things like addiction and mental health carry a weight of shame and no one enjoys the feeling of having failed or messed up. Admitting our faults is hard. The thing we need to remember is that we did not ask to become addicted and that illnesses happen. We have no control over it. Admitting to illness is the first step to doing something about it. Admitting it to someone else actually might help us succeed. It might motivate us to work just a little harder to get and stay sober. Recovery is always hard but doing it alone is nearly impossible. When we involve people in the decision, whether we know them intimately or casually, we have started building the community we will need for long term recovery.
When you sit down with your boss or co-workers only share what you are comfortable sharing. All people need to know is that you are taking time to get well. They don’t necessarily need to know what you are getting well from. This is the first chance to start establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries. No one needs to know the details of your life. If you are extremely nervous, practice the meeting with someone you trust. Playing the situation out beforehand can build confidence. Maybe they can come with you for support. Having that person there can reduce the feeling of vulnerability and can make the situation more comfortable. Knowing there is already one person supporting you can help you trust that others will too.
If you have decided that it’s time to seek treatment for your addiction, good. You are strong enough to get through this. If you have taken that first step but do not know who to call, try Fort Worth Recovery. We can help you decide the type of treatment you need. For more information, call us today at 817 382 2894 or visit us online.
