Admitting a problem.
Derek Winn
Nationally recognized Benefits Advisor & Strategist | Client focused problem solver and educator | Helping businesses attract & retain talent while keeping their bottom line healthy
What do the holiday season, addiction, and health plan decisions have in common? A lot.
Research shows that the holiday season, which can be filled with anxiety, depression, and stress, can be a time of heightened issues for those struggling with their own mental health or addiction, but also a prime time for relapse among those in recovery.
In all of this, it can also be a great time to help those who are struggling with one or more of these issues, by lending a helping hand.
What can we learn about this when it comes to healthcare and the benefits we provide employees?
That's why we are working to create a five-step program toward health benefits recovery. Like it or not, the process for substance abuse recovery, and recovering from missteps with "traditional" health benefits both look very similar.
1. Admit that there is a problem
2. Be open to accepting help/new ideas
3. Explore your options
4. Take action to create a better solution
5. Maintenance and continued recovery.
"Passion creates, addiction consumes."
― Gabor Maté
If this still isn't making sense, you're not alone.
The reason why is because many are unwilling or unable to admit a problem to start with. There are many reasons why, but the primary reason is the fear of disruption.
For an addict to change their lifestyle at the height of addiction, this not only disrupts normal daily life but also the potentially severe side-effects of withdrawal. Even once this hurdle is crossed, there are impulses and urges to relapse, hence why it is a lifetime of recovery.
More information on our 5 steps to recovery will be coming, but in the meantime, this short message was intended to serve two goals:
- A reminder for heightened awareness and vigilance for those in your life who are struggling with addiction during the holiday season.
- A reminder that for many of us, we cannot accept a problem with "doing things the way we have always done them" because we have failed to admit that this is a problem.
The impetus for this project starts with the video post below, where you can join in on the action. You can also sign up for updates to be notified when our five-step program is released at this link or just visit distilled-concepts.com
