Addiction Treatment Center – Barriers and Myths

Making a plan to get an addiction treatment center never works if you don’t actually follow the plan. Good intentions aren’t enough to start recovery. You may have a variety of reasons that have kept you from facing your substance use disorder. Some of your reasons may be among the most common barriers to treatment we’ll mention below and bust some myths you may believe that stop you from contacting an addiction treatment center today.

The stigma of treatment, the need for childcare, the threat of job loss, and the lack of family support can feel like barriers to getting help for a substance use problem. Doing research can clear up some assumptions you’re making now about how programs are out of reach for you. For example, health insurance may help lower the overall cost or cover it completely. Speaking directly with an addiction specialist can better inform you how to make the treatment you need more accessible.

Common Barriers to Attending an Addiction Treatment Center 

See what reasons on this list are often brought up by people like you who say they need to wait to start treatment.

1. I can’t afford to start treatment right now. The cost is too high for me.
2. There’s no treatment program near where I live.
3. I have no one to watch my children if I go to rehab.
4. I can’t miss work or I won’t be able to pay my bills.
5. I need help with depression (anxiety, trauma, etc.) first.
6. My friends and family won’t support me.
7. I’ll feel ashamed of myself if I have to go to rehab.

Each one of these concerns is legitimate. It comes from a genuine place of worry or fear over treatment. So rather than settle for one (or more) of these excuses, take a moment to examine them more closely.

Busting Myths: Addiction Treatment Centers

1. COST: To say treatment is something you can’t afford means you’ve explored options and can list prices. If you haven’t done your research yet, you may be assuming every rehab program is outside your budget. When you speak to an addiction professional, you should address financial help as a priority. You may discover payment plan options, health insurance coverage, and other resources that may make treatment for a substance use disorder more affordable than you realized.
2. GEOGRAPHY: When doing your research on treatment options in your area, look for a variety of types of treatment. It can be inpatient, outpatient, an intensive outpatient program, or something else. If you’re not able to travel far to one of these types of locations, ask yourself why? Do you truly need a local experience? If so, virtual or local outpatient options could be helpfu. If these methods have not worked for you before, perhaps it is time to try something new.
3. CHILD CARE: You may need assistance to secure care for young children while in a treatment program. If no close friends or family members are available, looking within your community for short-term solutions is an option. It may be utilizing a daycare with drop-in services.
4. WORK ABSENCE: If you’re planning to attend a residential rehab program, talk to your employer first about your need for addiction treatment. Also, learn about the rights provided to you through ADA and FMLA. In many cases, you should be able to protect your employment for the duration of the treatment needed. You may also consider negotiating use of personal time off, vacation, or sick time accrued at your job.
5. MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS: A facility offering dual diagnosis treatment is available for people living with both a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health disorder. Treating them simultaneously increases your chance of starting and sustaining sobriety. Within this type of program, services are integrated across multiple treatment teams.
6. FAMILY SUPPORT: You may have alienated family due to behaviors related to drinking or drug use, including lying, stealing, damaging property, or not being reliable when needed. Not having family support from the start shouldn’t keep you from starting a treatment program where a focus on repairing damaged relationships can be introduced. Family sessions can be a way to hear from people you’ve harmed in a safe and guided conversation and for all of you to learn coping strategies to help you heal as a family unit.
7. STIGMA: Needing rehab can make a person feel stigmatized and self-conscious. It can compel them to deny the substance use problem or try to minimize it. Addressing the negative feelings around treatment is important and can be a valuable part of individual therapy. It’s also helpful to see taking ownership of a drinking or drug problem with a plan for sobriety as way to overcome the stigma tied to addiction.

Origins Recovery Center is a well-known care provider offering a range of treatment programs targeting the recovery from substance use, mental health issues, and beyond. Our primary mission is to provide a clear path to a life of healing and restoration. We offer renowned clinical care for addiction and have the compassion and professional expertise to guide you toward lasting sobriety.

For information on our programs, call us today: 561-841-1019.