Scroll through your social media feeds, and you will find happy pictures, funny quotes, and professions of love that lead us to believe that people live happy and fulfilling lives. Some of them might be. Many of them are not. The stigmas surrounding so many common problems are the biggest reason for hiding the truth. We assume that by expressing ourselves, we are dealing with some heavy emotional stuff that might be “weak.” As long as we believe that vulnerability equals weakness, we will struggle alone when we don’t have to. Below are some widespread problems many Americans face and how to combat them without doing it alone.
Alcohol Abuse
Since alcohol is not an illegal substance, many people struggle to recognize that they may have an alcohol problem. A drink here or there is not a big deal, but a case of beer every night is not a good habit. Sometimes, alcoholism isn’t as black and white; some people are what we call “functional alcoholics.” They go to work on time, they don’t get tickets for DUIs, and yet their relationships with family and friends suffer because of their alcoholism.
Alcoholism, no matter the intensity, is all about obtaining the next drink with no concern for the consequences. If you find yourself struggling to make it through the day without a drink or have a loved one exhibiting these behaviors, the best thing to do is get them to an alcohol detox program as quickly as possible. Not only will they help the alcoholic deal with the first few days of sobriety, but they will also create an aftercare program to help the individual navigate the struggles of staying sober.
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Prescription Pill Abuse
Just because you have a prescription doesn’t mean you may not have a problem. More and more Americans are prescribed medications that are highly addictive. Many of these people also find themselves taking more than they should. Since it’s named, it’s easy to rationalize your usage. Take, for instance, the person who has a prescription for Xanax for severe anxiety attacks and is only to take them when they have an anxiety attack. Suddenly, the tiniest bit of stress finds them taking the Xanax rather than identifying a major attack.
At some point, the dosage stops working, and they must take more or have their physician prescribe a higher dosage. Thus, the cycle continues. Sometimes, it’s not even the patient who abuses the prescription but rather a friend or family member who is stealing them to get high. If you are using your medications when you shouldn’t, or you are stealing prescriptions from others, a drug treatment facility is the first person you should be talking to. Plenty of prescription drugs have withdrawal symptoms that are difficult to get through, but with help, you can!
Domestic Violence
One in three women experiences domestic violence within their lifetime. Domestic violence comes in many forms. It can be emotional, financial, physical, or sexual. It can be all of those. It can be a few of those. Abusers will often threaten their victims with physical violence if they tell. Some go as far as threatening murder. Others will gaslight their victims to the point in which outsiders believe the abuser over the victim. Plenty of abusers perpetuate the victim as the abuser to isolate their victim and keep control.
If you suspect you are being abused, you should call the National Domestic Violence hotline from a secure phone to speak with someone as quickly as possible. They can help you find local support and offer a sympathetic ear. These problems are more common than many people believe. As humans, we set out to keep these perfect images of our lives rather than reveal what we are dealing with. When we do that, we miss out on so much. You are not alone. You have support. Just reach out, and you will receive it!