How Do I Tell Someone I am an Addict?

Saying that words “I am an addict” or “I am an alcoholic” out loud, is possibly the scariest and most difficult things a person could ever do. If you have been able to say these words to anyone, then take a moment to give yourself a pat on the back. If you haven’t, know that it’s okay and that whatever you are feeling, you are probably far from the first person to feel this way. Fear, uncertainty, guilt and shame are all normal feelings to experience when you are trying to find a way to say the words.

5 Quick Tips To Telling Someone You Are An Addict

1. Take it one person at a time.
2. Be honest, upfront, and direct.
3. When talking face-to-face feels too difficult, consider writing a letter. 
4. Check your intentions of opening up and be sure you are telling people for the right reasons.
5. Don’t hide how you feel about your recovery and where you are in the process.

Take It One Person At A Time

You don’t have to tell the whole world about your addiction all at once. In fact, you don’t even have to tell your whole family at once. If it helps, start with one person. Just one person. Maybe you tell your mom, your dad, a sibling, a friend, or a medical professional. It can be anyone. Then, begin to tell other people as you feel comfortable. Maybe small groups will be easier once you have opened up to a few other people. Maybe you choose to stick with telling one person at a time. Whatever pace you take is completely acceptable.

Be Honest, Upfront, & Direct

Be honest with yourself and with the person you are talking with. You owe it to yourself and to them to tell the truth about your addiction. What are you using? How much and how often do you use? Are you ready for treatment? 

It is not to say that you have to have answers to every question but tell the truth. It is okay to say “I don’t know”. 

Write A Letter

Sometimes face-to-face is daunting and it is difficult to remember what you wanted to say. Having to say the right things in the right order and the uncertainty of how the person will reach is all scary and could keep you from opening up. Instead of not telling a person that you want to open up to, consider an alternative method of communicating. Writing a letter allows you to put all of your thoughts down at your own pace and hand them to the person all at once. Some people find this to be an easier way of opening up about their alcohol or drug addiction.

Check Your Intentions

Why do you want to tell someone about your addiction? Are you doing it to seek pity or to use it as an excuse for your behaviors? Or, are you doing it to let people in and to truly get help and support? If you are telling someone about your addiction for the wrong reasons, then you are likely headed down a path of hurt and deceit. Do not take someone’s sympathy for granted, or one day you may not get it anymore.

Don’t Hide How You Feel

You can be honest, upfront, and direct without being completely open. It’s important to be transparent about your feelings towards recovery. You cannot get proper support and help if you hide how you really feel. If you are ready and desperate to stop drinking or drugging, say it. If you know you need help, but you aren’t ready for it, say that. Whatever it is, just don’t talk around your feelings and keep them to yourself. 

You might be surprised at how much of a relief it is after you open up about your addiction. It can be very freeing. Go in open-minded and just do it!

Next Steps For Addiction Recovery

After you start to open up about your addiction, the next step is getting help. Let your loved ones offer what they can. Maybe they sit next to you while you make a call to an addiction treatment center, or maybe they dial the number for you. Remember, be open-minded and be honest.

At Level Up Lake Worth, we can help you get on the road to recovery. We offer a wide array of addiction treatment therapies to meet the needs of every client. With or without the support of your loved ones, call us to get top-quality care.