What do people usually say when explaining they’ve been at a treatment center in Florida? Well, if they’re smart, they will say nothing about drug treatment. An extended absence can be explained in many ways. Unless it’s a close friend or family member who needs to know the truth, never talk about a stint in rehab. You might think that people will admire you for seeking treatment and will want to support you in that, but it too often doesn’t happen that way. That’s because people in Florida are the same as people everywhere else when it comes to misguided, puritanical notions about drug use. Addiction is a brain disease that could potentially happen to anyone, but most people don’t understand that. They don’t even want to. They prefer to hold to the notion that addiction is some kind of character flaw that you could correct “if you really wanted to.”
This is ludicrous and defies both logic and science. No one wants to be addicted, and science has solid data about the chemical and physical changes that take place in the chemically addicted brain. However, the average person doesn’t understand this, or if they do, they don’t believe it to be true. You can expect this judgmental attitude even from smart, educated, savvy people who should know better. Worse, you’ll even see it in people who are themselves chemically dependent, just not on the same substance you are. Seriously, people will blow cigarette smoke in your face as they talk smack about addictions. Now, not everyone is like this. There are enlightened people who will understand and be on your side. But, they’re not the norm. Be very careful who you tell about your addiction and drug rehab treatment. The fact is, most people in your life just don’t need to know, and it’s none of their business.
Drug rehab information can be especially damaging in the workplace. Recovering addicts are often viewed with suspicion, not compassion. Your employer may feel they can no longer trust you. Maybe they think you’d steal from the workplace to fund your drug habit. If the business concerns children or the elderly, it’s even worse. Your employer may think you’re too deranged to be trusted around vulnerable youngsters and frail oldsters. People think all kinds of strange things that have no basis in fact. However, your employer provides your paycheck and can think whatever they like. You could even be fired. This may be illegal, but employers can usually justify discharging an employee if they really want to in most cases. That’s another valid reason to limit who knows about your rehab stay within your circle of friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances and others. Once you confide in someone about your addiction, you have no control over who that person may also tell. Your employer could easily find out this way.
Safe Support for Recovering Addicts
You may have a very close friend who you know would never betray you. You can safely seek support from someone like that. Of course, your spouse or significant other has to know and is hopefully the most supportive of all. Parents, older and adult children and close siblings are all people within your intimate circle who need to know about your problem in order to help and support you emotionally. Be careful not to tell young children more than they have the maturity to understand.
Your drug rehab probably has some kind of aftercare program. This is your best source of safe recovery support because the people you interact with here understand what you’re going through. You don’t have to conceal anything from them and you don’t have to worry about gossip or them repeating damaging information about you. Be sure to participate in the program’s aftercare program as much as you possibly can. It will help to protect you against relapse and provide you with valuable coping tools, too. Some recovering addicts find great solace and strength from regular attendance at religious services. Others swear by such groups as Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous. Everyone is different. You will need to explore your options and find out what works best for you.
For More Information
If you’re a recovering addict and would like information on staying sober, call us anytime at 844-639-8371. Our experienced counselors can help you with any kind of rehab or recovery question you may have, and they can also provide you with the resources you need to maintain your sobriety in the long term.