Unfortunately, anyone can struggle with addiction, from teens to seniors. Of course, this means that professionals and executives also can become addicted to alcohol and drugs. For these white-collar workers, it can be difficult to seek treatment because of the stigma and potential ramifications for their careers. The good news is, you can turn to a rehab center specifically for professionals and executives so you can maintain a work presence while working toward recovery.

1. Signs That It’s Time to Seek Addiction Treatment

Many people don’t seek addiction treatment because they don’t want to admit that they need help. The truth is, you should seek treatment as soon as you start questioning whether you need to. Specific signs that it’s time to enter a rehab facility include:

• Drugs or alcohol consume your thoughts: If you spend the majority of your time acquiring and using drugs or alcohol, you need to seek help. It’s also time when you lose interest in activities that you used to enjoy, or you no longer want to spend time with loved ones.
• You exhibit signs of addiction: You have cravings for your substance of choice, and you have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using it, like shaking, headaches, sweating, or diarrhea. When you need to increase your substance use to get high, it’s time to get help.
• You lie to hide your behavior: You will start lying to hide your problem. As a professional or executive, you may miss appointments or deadlines and start lying to make excuses to your loved ones, colleagues, or bosses.
• You keep using substances despite their negative impact: If you continue to use drugs and alcohol even after they put your career in jeopardy, it is time to seek help. When you no longer are rational about your addiction, you need help to see how it affects your life.

2. You Need to Seek Treatment When Your Health Suffers

Many professionals and executives struggling with addiction find themselves making excuses when their colleagues comment about their health. Alcoholism and drug abuse take a toll on your physical and mental health, and you will exhibit symptoms that others will notice, likely before you notice them yourself when you are in the throes of addiction.

According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), physical signs that it’s time to seek addiction treatment include

• Flushed skin
• Broken capillaries on the face
• Husky voice
• Trembling hands
• Bloodshot eyes
• Weight loss
• Unkempt appearance

Your mental health also suffers when you are an addict. For instance, you will feel more anxious, agitated, and depressed. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) also lists hallucinations and paranoia among the mental health issues caused by addiction. In fact, the NIDA emphasizes the fact that many addicts also are diagnosed with mental health disorders; for example, people addicted to drugs are twice as likely to suffer from mood and anxiety disorders.

3. Rehab Centers Are Available for Professionals and Executives

Do not allow your career to stand in the way of seeking addiction treatment. There are several executive rehab centers offering confidential inpatient treatment for people who need treatment while maintaining a work presence or who need to recover quickly in a short-term program to expedite their return to work. Executive drug rehab programs specifically focus on professionals and your needs; in fact, many are upscale drug rehab facilities designed to cater to business needs.

When you choose a top-notch executive rehab center, you will have access to office amenities so you can conduct business as usual even though you are not in your corporate setting. You’ll also maintain your career and avoid the stress of losing your job while focusing on your recovery.

Addiction does not discriminate. If you are a busy professional or executive struggling with addiction, you must keep an eye out for the signs telling you it is time to seek treatment. Then, you need to select a reputable executive rehab center so you can start on the road to recovery while maintaining a work presence and keeping your career on track.

Written by Eva Benoit

Life Coach and Author of The 30-Day Plan for Ending Bad Habits and Improving Overall Health (Fall 2018)

EvaBenoit.com

eva.benoit@evabenoit.com