Can I Still Suffer from Addiction If I Am Successful at Work?
Can I Still Suffer from Addiction If I Am Successful at Work?
Being successful at work can get in the way of people getting the help they need.
This sounds counterintuitive. Obviously, if you are successful at work, you are keeping it together—right? Not necessarily.
There are many ways that substance use disorder expresses itself, and it can look different from person to person. This includes what aspects of the person’s life are affected…
How Can I Suffer from Substance Use Disorder If I Am Successful at Work?
There are a lot of different ways that substance use disorder can negatively affect a sufferer’s life beyond work. Some of these include:
Home Life and Relationships
For many, substance use kicks in after they leave the office. They may go straight to a bar afterward, neglecting their at-home obligations and even driving drunk. Once they get home, they may have a few drinks or use a substance to unwind.
These drinks and substances can lead to arguments, fights, physical and emotional abuse, and neglect. Over time, the consequences begin to add up.
The same goes for friendships. Drinking and using drugs can lead to missing engagements, showing up to activities drunk or under the influence, or having too many upon arrival. Over time, the patience of friends can quickly wear thin.
Without proper treatment, a person suffering from addiction can lose their friends and family members.
Health
Ongoing drinking and substance use—especially in high and/or frequent doses—can lead to major health consequences. The liver, heart, lungs, and even the brain can be severely damaged over time. This damage may be irreparable and can lead to a lower quality of life or even loss of life.
Legal
Whether it’s driving drunk or under the influence, getting into fights, or even abuse, drinking and drug use can lead to major legal trouble. Beyond the ethical issues that come with all of these behaviors, fines and even jail or prison time can follow.
Emotional
All of the damage to the life of a person with a substance use disorder can add up over time. The weight of failed relationships, health issues, legal troubles, and even harming others can become overwhelming.
For those suffering from mood disorders, emotional distress can become that much more severe.
As stated in a paper published by the National Library of Medicine:
“Chronic substance abuse sometimes “unmasks” bipolar or other mood disorders—that is, triggers an increase in symptom severity from a subclinical to a clinically significant level. This appears to occur because in genetically vulnerable individuals, the drugs exacerbate pathophysiological changes in neurotransmitter systems or signaling pathways that already are abnormal and underlie the mood disorder (Markou, Kosten, and Koob, 1998).”
It’s Okay to Seek Help—No Matter What You Do for Work
Whether you make less than minimum wage or millions of dollars a year, substance use disorder can negatively affect your life in many different ways. If you are unable to stop the use of drugs or alcohol even in the face of the consequences above, it may be time to seek treatment…
With that said, treatment can be difficult for working professionals. Taking the time off work simply may not be an option. That’s where Front Door Health comes in.
Front Door Health provides in-home treatment for patients with substance use disorders and dual-diagnosis disorders. We take a scientific approach to treatment, and we create custom treatment plans for our patients to increase their chances of success. Our team believes patients should get the treatment they need when they need it. That’s why we offer immediate treatment for patients (often same-day enrollment!). We also provide 24/7 treatment services for our patients. We are here when you need us!
We understand that it can be difficult to put your life on hold and take time off work. Our in-home treatment allows you to continue to meet your work, school, family, and other obligations while receiving the treatment you deserve.
If you would like to learn more about in-home treatment, contact Front Door Health today. We’re happy to answer any questions and provide you with the help you need.
info@frontdoorhealthcenter.com
