Is it a sign of personal weakness or strength for a woman to admit that she has a problem with drugs or alcohol?
I think it is an amazing sign of strength for a woman to admit that she has a problem with drugs or alcohol. It takes such courage to admit to something so life changing. It is a great first step that gets the ball rolling for a complete recovery. To become clean though a woman has to want to do it. Forcing someone to do something they do not want to do is not always a good idea and can cause more harm than good. I think that women who hide their drug and alcohol problems are weak and in denial and are very selfish, especially if they have a family because they are probably hurting their family more than themselves. They need to know that there is help available but only if they are willing to accept it. Even for a woman to want to get into a rehab program and get clean the first step they still have to take is to admit they have a problem.
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People will change a harmful or dangerous habit when they are ready. You cannot force a person into rehabilitation no matter how much they need it. You and the other people around that person only get hurt even more. People have to accept that, like you said, they have a problem and then welcome help. Only at that point will they be open to a different way of living, but not a day before then.
ReplyDeleteSamisha
Very true, a woman has to want to be “clean” to succeed. For one of my previous classes I had to attend an AA meeting and I was impressed with the cross section of society that was represented at this meeting, from doctors to rug cleaners. Some women looked very dignified, some privileged and affluent. Others did look like they were beat up by life, but each one of these people expressed their affections and respect for each other as the reason they were able to stay off drinking. They have accountability partners who they can, and actually DO call whenever they feel “weak” and wanting a drink. Most alcoholics know what “triggers” to stay away from. I left that meeting feeling positive rather than down. These folks were nowhere close to the stereotype alcoholics that are bitter and negative about life. They were, for the most part, pillars of the community who just happened to have an addition but refused to be defined by it.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI agree, it does take alot of courage and strength for a woman to admit to have a problem with alcohol or drugs. It is a sign of strength, denying the problem can and will affect her family, her job, her career and most important her self steem. Admitting to the problem is the first step in recognizing the need for help, we as women are used to the "caregiver" role and do not expect to be taking care of. I believe alot of women will not admitt to drug problems because it might be viewed as a "weakness" and society as a whole expects women to hold the family together, to bring stength to the family. Providing assistance to women that are wanting help should be a priority. Especially when that women has admitted to having a problem with drugs, that would be the perfect time to provide assistance.
The intervention of Sara in the supplemental readings showed how hard it is for a women to admit she has a problem and make the decision to receive help. I wish there was an easier way to make people realize how important it is to get help with an addiction. So many people are involved with addiction and it takes incredible strength from people who are extremely weak to admit they have a problem.
ReplyDeleteI feel that it shows tremendous courage for a woman to admit they have a problem. Recovery off of a substance is not an easy road and most of the time it is extremely painful. A woman has to face judgements, harrassment, pain, humiliation, and so much more to get better. So yes, the path to recovery takes alot of strength and courage so a woman admitting she has a problem is anything but a sign of weakness.
ReplyDeleteIt is true, for a woman to admit to her family and friends that she has some type of addiction shows her strength, desire to change and get better because as you mentioned many people who are addicted live in denial and think that they don’t have any problems on the contrary they might think that everyone else is against them. In the end, a woman who faces an addiction needs the support of everyone around her but first be willing to make a change for her otherwise nothing will change.
ReplyDelete