[CyclingPsych]

Hey everyone, again.

I have an issue.. I recently relapsed (drug use) and I am horrified to tell my therapist. I never even told him I did any drugs because I wasn't using for 3+ years. I am in my early 20's and this is driving me nuts. I don't want to hide things from him. I see a psychiatrist too but I don't see myself needing to tell him since the medication I am on now is good.

The drugs are in the prescription and some herion sorry of thing.
I don't want my therapist to think less of me.. I see him next week and I am scared that I will just run out of the room.

Did anyone ever experience this? I feel like I shouldn't even tell him..

[Sofya Semyonovna]

When I told my therapist about my history of drug abuse, she didn't even bat an eye. Millions of people across the U.S. abuse drugs and alcohol every year, and many of those same people are in therapy. Therapists and psychiatrists are used to it, and it certainly won't scare them off or make them think less of you. I will say, however, telling my psychiatrist turned out to be a bad idea because when I felt it was time to increase my meds, she accused me of abusing them and refused to up my dose... so I'd be more cautious around psychiatrists personally.

[CyclingPsych]

Originally Posted by Sofya Semyonovna

When I told my therapist about my history of drug abuse, she didn't even bat an eye. Millions of people across the U.S. abuse drugs and alcohol every year, and many of those same people are in therapy. Therapists and psychiatrists are used to it, and it certainly won't scare them off or make them think less of you. I will say, however, telling my psychiatrist turned out to be a bad idea because when I felt it was time to increase my meds, she accused me of abusing them and refused to up my dose... so I'd be more cautious around psychiatrists personally.

Yeah, I don't plan on telling my psychiatrist. I don't want them telling my parents (I am over 18, I am still paranoid about it)

[junkDNA]

hi,

i was addicted to drugs for years, teens to early twenties. i have also relapsed recently this year. it went on for months before i finally confessed to my T. he knew about my drug history prior to meeting him. anyway, he was so very supportive of me. i was really scared he would refer me out. i would encourage you to tell your T. it doesnt feel good to hide huge things like this. also the secretiveness only gives the addiction more strength. it has helped me to be accountable to someone (my T) greatly

Originally Posted by CyclingPsych

Hey everyone, again.

I have an issue.. I recently relapsed (drug use) and I am horrified to tell my therapist. I never even told him I did any drugs because I wasn't using for 3+ years. I am in my early 20's and this is driving me nuts. I don't want to hide things from him. I see a psychiatrist too but I don't see myself needing to tell him since the medication I am on now is good.

The drugs are in the prescription and some herion sorry of thing.
I don't want my therapist to think less of me.. I see him next week and I am scared that I will just run out of the room.

Did anyone ever experience this? I feel like I shouldn't even tell him..

If you're using, than you probably won't get anything out of going to therapy. Why would a T think less of you? They may feel that this is just pay off where you are in your journey and decide from there whether it's worth your while to continue whilst using. It's not really a biggy to them.

[junkDNA]

just wondering why if one is using drugs they wont get anything out of therapy? how is one going to be able to get off drugs then? by themselves, with their own willpower??? most drug addicts have trauma histories. i think they need MORE therapy

I would take the leap and tell your therapist. Give yourself the permission. Afterall, you wouldn't be the first person to have admitted to such. Addictions are quite common with mental illness so admiting to drug use would be of no surprize. I also think you owe it to yourself to do so. Your therapist cannot structure your therapy properly without knowing this. Again, give yourself the permission to be good to yourself.

[Mygrandjourney]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

I would take the leap and tell your therapist. Give yourself the permission. Afterall, you wouldn't be the first person to have admitted to such. Addictions are quite common with mental illness so admiting to drug use would be of no surprize. I also think you owe it to yourself to do so. Your therapist cannot structure your therapy properly without knowing this. Again, give yourself the permission to be good to yourself.

Other than your fears of your T or P-Doc telling your parents, I'm curious as to why you would want to keep this information from them? I also see that you are studying psychology right now. Do you plan on entering the field at some point? If you are, could you fast forward to the point at which you are working with clients? If one or many of them were using illicit drugs while in therapy, would you want to know? BTW: unless you have signed the appropriate release of information form, it is illegal for your treatment providers to discuss your treatment with your parents.

Originally Posted by junkDNA

just wondering why if one is using drugs they wont get anything out of therapy? how is one going to be able to get off drugs then? by themselves, with their own willpower??? most drug addicts have trauma histories. i think they need MORE therapy

You need to be able to feel your feelings to process them. You can't whilst using.

[Argonautomobile]

Originally Posted by _Mouse

You need to be able to feel your feelings to process them. You can't whilst using.

I felt plenty of **** when I was using.

But I respect your right to that opinion.

In any case, OP--Sorry to hear about your relapse. Opiates are a *****. I hope you do talk to your T about this. I don't agree that using somehow renders therapy useless--I think it's a good reason to keep going to therapy.

If the T is worth your time, they won't judge you; if they judge you, they're not worth your time. In my experience, the person most horrified by your drug use is you. Other people have generally been far less judgemental than I expected them to be.

Good luck with everything.

ETA: I agree with JunkDNA that it is very helpful to have someone to be honest with and accountable to. The secrecy is the worst part--drives a huge wedge between you and the rest of the world.

Originally Posted by Argonautomobile

I felt plenty of **** when I was using.

But I respect your right to that opinion.

In any case, OP--Sorry to hear about your relapse. Opiates are a *****. I hope you do talk to your T about this. I don't agree that using somehow renders therapy useless--I think it's a good reason to keep going to therapy.

If the T is worth your time, they won't judge you; if they judge you, they're not worth your time. In my experience, the person most horrified by your drug use is you. Other people have generally been far less judgemental than I expected them to be.

Good luck with everything.

ETA: I agree with JunkDNA that it is very helpful to have someone to be honest with and accountable to. The secrecy is the worst part--drives a huge wedge between you and the rest of the world.

As an ex addict. I disagree. I was numb.

[nottrustin]

I hope you really consider telling both your therapist and your psychiatrst. Opiates can effect your mood and psych medications. If you are using them and already have a history of assist it can very quickly get out of control. So if they start affecting your mood the Drs and therapist won't know what they are really treating.