Addiction can impact anyone in any role. Whether it’s a CEO of a big corporation or an entry level worker in a restaurant, anyone can wrestle with addiction. There are some things that executives do differently than others, however, that help them to be successful in rehab and beyond. Because they work under high stress, and sometimes high stakes roles, addiction can easily become a coping mechanism to get them through the daily challenges they face. However, when they are ready to get help, these actions are what set them up for long-term success. Here’s what we can learn from them.
They Know That Location Matters
Location isn’t just for real estate investments. Executives ready to go to rehab know that they can’t just pick any treatment center. They need options that understand the pressures that executive leaders face and that have private and discreet options just for them. They might explore a drug rehab in Frisco, not too far from the bustling business areas of Dallas, TX, or a retreat style detox center on the beach in San Diego because they need a space to get away.
Whether they stay close to work or travel far away for rehab, executives know that this first decision is crucial. Where they go can set the pace for them in terms of long-term success and sobriety that sticks long after they head back to the office.
They Find Approaches That Adjust to Real Life
A generic, one-size-fits-all rehab or detox center isn’t going to cut it. Executives who get free from drug or alcohol addiction know that they need an approach that fits their real life. Sometimes it isn’t possible to go away for three months to rehab.
Instead, they look for professional care that takes things like parenting responsibilities, work culture, and even pets into consideration. This might mean that they attend a short detox program and then get therapy and group sessions in the evenings and on the weekends. The right program may even offer virtual care to accommodate their busy schedules. The key is that it’s important to find the right approach for your life, not someone else’s.
They Are Focused on The End Goal
Executives know that there may be setbacks on the road to sobriety, but they focus on the end goal. By being able to visualize what the future looks like, they are able to take the steps they need in order to get there. This means that whether they are just entering a detox program or they are months into recovery, they can push forward even when things feel hard.
Addiction recovery is rarely a straight line and by understanding the challenges and triggers they may face, executives can make a plan for success no matter what comes their way. Learning how to do hard things is part of the process.
They Address Underlying Issues
In many cases, drug or alcohol addiction isn’t the underlying issue. Whether it’s unmedicated mental health issues or a lack of emotional regulation or unresolved trauma, executives know that they need to get to the heart of the addiction to fully heal. When executives are finally ready to get help, they know they can’t just treat things at a surface level.
Instead, they seek out care options that help them dig a little deeper. Sometimes addictions take root because people try and self medicate for things like ADHD, depression, or anxiety. By addressing some of these underlying issues, executives gain the tools they need to be successful after addiction treatment.
They Learn How to Reintegrate
Reintegration into normal life takes more than just jumping back in. It’s important to learn how to navigate everything from social situations to family time without having drugs or alcohol in the body. Executives take the time they need to learn how to reintegrate. Whether they attend family therapy sessions or talk through things with other executives in recovery, they know that going back to their normal life is part of the process and end goal.
Stressful situations will come, but by being mindful of the triggers and having a plan for emotional regulation, executives know that they can live a healthy, drug and alcohol free life. This might mean they do emotional regulation coaching, they have support for when hard times come, and that they are mindful of the habits that lead to success.
