The cost of treatment can be a major obstacle for many people who are considering going to rehabilitation. Even if they need help with addiction, the fear of not being able to afford it may be enough to keep them away. Another common reason why an addicted person may not seek help is their refusal to accept that there is a problem. Severely addicted people may not view their drug or alcohol abuse as destructive behavior and may even blame others for their choices.
When friends, family, law enforcement officers, a therapist, judge, or other authority figures suggest treatment, people with a serious addiction may refuse it and deny that they need help. Feelings of guilt and shame can haunt a person struggling with addiction. It can be difficult for them to admit that they have a problem and they may feel like a failure or that they have lost control of their lives due to drugs or alcohol. Shame and guilt are a common trait of people who struggle.
Perhaps a friend or family member has harshly judged the person in distress. The best thing you can do to help is to talk to them in a non-confrontational way. Speak honestly and don't judge an addicted person. Express your concerns and why they need help in a compassionate and constructive way.
Many addicts give in part to the idea of seeking help, but rehabilitation? They think it's too much commitment, because in their minds, they're going to disappear for 30 days. And really, even if it ends up being 30 days, isn't it a drop in the bucket compared to the apathetic existence you've endured as an addict or alcoholic? Thirty days to improve your life isn't a long time, even if it seems like it. After all, you didn't become addicted overnight and you won't get better overnight either. The main reason why people struggling with addiction reject the idea of rehab is because they don't think they actually have a problem. They tell themselves that they can stop smoking at any time and they really believe it.
Getting help for alcohol or drug addiction can generate the kind of care that most people would like to avoid from colleagues, school acquaintances, and more. For the vast majority of people who are addicted to alcohol, the first big decision they must make is to be willing to seek treatment for their addiction. It's important for them to understand that rehab is not something that should be feared but rather embraced as an opportunity for growth and healing.