Breaking free from addiction is hard and not because people don’t want to get better. Most do. But the road to treatment is blocked off with lots of hurdles.
Millions of people would already be on the other side of it if it were that easy. But just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s impossible. These barriers can be broken down, one at a time.
Here, in our latest resource for HealthCages, we’ll share some of the biggest barriers to addiction recovery treatment and how you can overcome them.
#1 Stigma and Shame
Addiction carries a heavy load of stigma.
People struggling with substance use are often judged, blamed, or looked down on. That judgment doesn’t just come from society, but also from friends, family, coworkers, and sometimes medical professionals. Many people hesitate to seek help as a result.
According to The Conversation, external stigmatization drives self-stigma—a feeling of low self-worth and self-esteem. The more stigma people face, the more they internalize it as self-stigma. That leads them to believe they deserve the negative treatment they receive.
So, how do you push past the shame? It starts with reminding yourself that addiction is a disease; it’s a chronic condition. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction is a chronic disorder of the brain. Just like diabetes or depression, it needs proper care and support.
Talking to people who understand—whether it’s a therapist or someone who’s been there—can also make a huge difference. The more you speak openly about addiction, the more you break down the stigma.
#2 Fear of Withdrawal
Thinking about stopping substance use can be scary.
When you cut out or cut back on substances, you experience withdrawal symptoms—anxiety, nausea, diarrhea, and insomnia. The fear of those symptoms keeps a lot of people stuck in the cycle.
You don’t have to go through this alone. There are detox centers and medical professionals who specialize in managing withdrawal symptoms. They have doctors and nurses who offer help around the clock.
They monitor health closely and administer medications to help ease the symptoms, reduce cravings, and keep people stable while their body adjusts.
Take opioid use disorder, for instance. Withdrawal from opiates or opioids can be hard. So, doctors prescribe methadone, buprenorphine, or clonidine. These medicines help reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. Doctors also prescribe naltrexone to reduce relapse risk.
The intense fear of withdrawal is reduced by attending to both physical safety and psychological comfort. So, don’t try to tough it out in silence. Reach out, ask for help, and let professionals walk you through it. There is a way to do this safely.
#3 Lack of Finance
Paying for addiction treatment is a major concern for many people. Rehab, therapy, medication—it adds up fast. Not everyone has a rainy-day fund sitting around.
You’re not out of luck. Some private insurance plans cover substance use disorder treatment.
Case in point—Optum health insurance. Ingrained Recovery states that Optum health insurance includes coverage for addiction and mental health treatment under the Affordable Care Act.
The good news: Optum covers treatment for addiction in almost all U.S. states.
In Georgia, for instance, there are 69 centers that accept this insurance. Though not guaranteed, Optum can cover the full cost of an inpatient stay. Using Optum to cover rehab in Georgia is a wise move if you plan to opt for an inpatient rehab program.
United Healthcare (UHC) insurance policy is another example that offers rehab coverage for substance use disorder.
Its insurance policy covers private rehabs, luxury rehabs, dual diagnosis rehabs, rehab retreats and ranches, and holistic rehabs.
What’s more? UHC addiction treatment coverage includes not one or two substances, but rather a range of those that are abused. Some of them are amphetamines, benzodiazepines, fentanyl, heroin, and meth.
#4 Absence of Social Support
Recovery is rarely a journey taken alone.
Humans need connection and support to feel understood, accepted, and supported. Nourishing and supportive relationships help dissolve feelings of shame, stigma, and rejection.
Good social support also significantly lowers the risk of relapse. Conversely, a lack of support makes recovery much more challenging.
Understanding and care from trusted family members and friends can mean a lot. But what if your current circle of friends is still using substances or your family doesn’t understand what you’re going through?
There are recovery groups everywhere—12-step programs, SMART Recovery, online forums, and sober communities on social media. These places are full of people who have been through it. They are not just there to listen, but they want to help.
The Path to Getting Clean Starts With Small Steps
Getting clean is not just a matter of waking up one day and deciding to do it. It’s about facing some really big obstacles—shame, fear, money issues, and loneliness—and finding ways to push through them. None of those barriers are easy. But none of them is impossible either.
Recovery starts with just one step. Consider taking that step today.
