You have probably noticed that a significant amount of advertising you encounter in the world encourages you to “act now!” Advertisers want to create a sense of urgency so that you feel as though you have to hurry to make a decision. So that means we are always told the sale is about to end. The “free gift with purchase” offer will be over soon. These special prices are the lowest of the year and won’t last long.
These sorts of marketing tactics can be quite effective—and sometimes they can even save you some money on something you were going to buy anyway. Of course, other times, this sense of urgency can lead to rash decisions and start to undermine your budget.
Counteracting the idea that you need to act now is the notion that “good things come to those who wait.” The suggestion here is that patience and deliberation can lead to better outcomes when you are faced with a decision to make. Rather than acting impulsively, a choice to wait until you are sure you have arrived at a good decision is often a good idea.
But there is one particular situation on our minds for which “act now!” is always a better option than sitting back and waiting. That situation? When you are struggling with a substance use disorder.
Let’s take a look at why some people choose to wait to get the help they need to put drugs or alcohol behind them—and why that is not the best way to address the situation.
Why Would You Wait to Get Help?
People wait to get help for a substance use disorder for a variety of reasons. For example, they may be convinced that they are in control of their substance use and could stop at any time.
Alternatively, they might be operating from a “rock bottom” framework—meaning they have decided on a situation that would compel them to get help if it ever occurred. Unfortunately, many people who are using drugs or alcohol have a tendency to redefine rock bottom each time the scenario they had imagined would be the trigger for getting help occurs.
Another reason a person might wait to get help is that they are embarrassed. They don’t want to admit to themselves—and they certainly don’t want to admit to others—that they have developed a problem with substances of one kind or another. They might worry about how their friends, family, coworkers, faith community members, and more will react if they admit to having an issue that needs attention. So they muddle along trying to hide their substance use—which, of course, becomes increasingly difficult to do over time.
The Case for Acting Now
If you really think about these reasons for delaying getting yourself into treatment, you will likely quickly realize that none of them hold up to scrutiny. The longer you put off getting help, the more damage drugs and alcohol will do to your physical health, your mental well-being, your finances, your relationships, your ability to work, and more.
When you think about it in those terms—that everything will get worse and nothing will get better if you wait to effectively address your substance use disorder—it becomes clear that this truly is a situation in which “act now!” is excellent advice.
Acting now means finding a high-quality treatment facility that offers proven approaches to helping individuals who are struggling with drugs or alcohol. You probably will not be surprised that we have a suggestion for just such a place.
When You Are Ready to Act, We Are Ready to Help
Located near St. Louis, Missouri, The Aviary Recovery Center is consistently recognized as one of the top substance use disorder treatment facilities in the nation. We have the experience, expertise, and empathy necessary to ensure you can set drugs or alcohol aside and restart your life.
Our work is evidence-based and personalized—meaning we rely on tried and true treatment approaches while also making sure your care is crafted to address your specific situation and needs. In many cases, that includes providing treatment for a mental health disorder that may be entangled with your substance use disorder.
We offer medically supervised detoxification so that you can weather withdrawal in a safe environment that is free of temptations. Our rehabilitation program, built around group and individual therapy, helps you develop the strategies you will need to maintain your recovery over time. And our commitment to ongoing support means you will have access to our alumni program, which keeps you connected to others who understand just what you have gone through and the challenges that might arise in recovery.
In addition to our residential program, we also offer an intensive outpatient program that helps individuals pursue the same goal—long-term sobriety—while also working, attending school, or maintaining their family life.
We will say it one more time: When it comes to dealing with a substance use disorder, the time to get help is right now. Don’t wait.
