I didn’t think I needed help. Especially not during the holidays.
To everyone around me, I looked fine—busy, helpful, productive. I had a full calendar, handled my work deadlines, bought the gifts, hosted dinner. But what no one saw were the late nights I spent numbing out just to get through the next day. A glass of wine became two. Then something stronger. All behind a perfect smile.
December nearly broke me more than once. But it also gave me the turning point I didn’t expect. This is how Medication-Assisted Treatment saved my life—without asking me to lose it first.
The Pressure to Look Okay Was Killing Me
The holidays are supposed to be joyful. But for people like me—the high-functioning ones—it can feel like drowning in plain sight.
I never missed work. I didn’t get DUIs. I never passed out in public. So I told myself I didn’t have a “real problem.” But every night, I’d pour another drink to quiet the noise. Every morning, I’d promise myself it would stop. I’d tell myself I was just stressed, just tired, just managing.
But I wasn’t managing. I was unraveling.
What made it worse was the silence. There wasn’t space to say “I’m not okay” without feeling like I was shattering the illusion. And during the holidays? That illusion had to sparkle.
Holidays Hurt More Than They Heal Sometimes
For years, I thought it was just me—that I was the only one who dreaded the holidays deep down. But later, in treatment, I learned this is incredibly common. The holidays stir up old grief, impossible expectations, family dynamics we’ve spent years trying to survive.
And if you’re already silently struggling with substances? The pressure of December can push you past your breaking point.
I didn’t crash dramatically. No big rock bottom. No intervention. Just a slow collapse under the weight of pretending. And that kind of quiet unraveling is so easy to miss. Even by ourselves.
Medication-Assisted Treatment Wasn’t My “Last Resort”—It Was My First Real Chance
I hesitated to reach out because I thought MAT was only for people in “serious” trouble. People who’d lost everything. People in detox. I didn’t realize it could be for people like me—people who are high-functioning on the outside, but exhausted inside.
At Foundations Group Recovery Center in Upper Arlington, I found a team who understood that. No judgment. No shaming. They didn’t ask me to prove how bad it was. They just listened.
Medication-Assisted Treatment gave me something I hadn’t had in a long time: stability. It helped me stop the cycle safely. It gave my brain and body space to catch up. And most importantly, it helped me start healing while keeping my life intact.
What MAT Looked Like for Me (Hint: It Wasn’t What I Expected)
I expected to feel drugged, numbed, or out of control. But what I actually felt was calm. Clear.
The medication didn’t erase my problems, but it made them manageable. It lowered the volume of the cravings and the compulsions just enough that I could choose again. Choose to go to therapy. Choose to show up without lying. Choose to sit with my feelings instead of running.
And the clinical support was everything. I wasn’t left on my own. I had people checking in, guiding me, helping me figure out what recovery could look like without asking me to throw away my whole life.
High-Functioning Doesn’t Mean Healthy
If you’re like me, you probably spend a lot of time convincing yourself that things aren’t “that bad.” That you can handle it. That if you were really in trouble, someone would have said something.
But here’s the truth: You can look successful and still be in pain. You can make it to every meeting and still need help. You can be high-functioning—and still be deeply, deeply unwell.
Medication-Assisted Treatment helped me admit that. And once I did, I stopped having to fight so hard to hold it all together. I let support hold me.
Looking for Medication-Assisted Treatment in Franklin County, Ohio?
Foundations Group offers a discreet, compassionate Medication-Assisted Treatment program in Upper Arlington, Ohio. It’s built for real life. For people who still have jobs. Families. Responsibilities.
And if you’re in Columbus, Ohio, they’re right around the corner.
I used to think asking for help meant admitting defeat. Now I know it means choosing to live.
MAT Helped Me Feel Like Myself Again
That was the biggest surprise. I didn’t feel like someone else on medication. I felt like myself—but finally stable. My focus came back. My mood evened out. I wasn’t always running on empty.
I had room to breathe again.
The MAT program didn’t ask me to perform or pretend. It didn’t push me to open up before I was ready. It just gave me a safer way forward. A stepping stone instead of a freefall.
And from that stability, I started making choices that didn’t come from desperation.
You Don’t Have to Hit Rock Bottom
We hear that phrase all the time—“They had to hit rock bottom.” But I want to tell you this clearly:
You do not need to fall apart to deserve help.
If you’re tired, that’s enough. If you’re scared, that’s enough. If the holidays feel like too much and substances are the only thing keeping you upright—that is enough reason to reach out.
I didn’t crash. I just got honest.
What You Might Be Feeling Right Now
- “I’m keeping it together—but barely.”
- “If anyone knew how much I used, they’d see me differently.”
- “I don’t want to stop forever. I just want to feel okay.”
- “I’ve never missed a deadline… but I cry in the shower every morning.”
If any of that sounds like you, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to keep carrying this alone either.
FAQs About Medication-Assisted Treatment
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication-Assisted Treatment combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders. It helps reduce cravings, prevent relapse, and support overall recovery.
Is MAT just replacing one drug with another?
No. This is a common myth. MAT uses carefully managed doses of medications that help normalize brain chemistry, reduce cravings, and restore balance—not create a new dependency. It’s about stability, not substitution.
Will MAT make me feel numb or sedated?
Most people feel more clear-headed, not less. The goal is to stabilize your system—not shut it down. Many clients report better focus, more energy, and improved emotional regulation.
Can I still work or parent while in MAT?
Absolutely. In fact, MAT is often the best option for people who need to stay functional while working on their recovery. At Foundations, MAT is designed with real-life responsibilities in mind.
How long does MAT last?
It depends on your needs. Some people use MAT short-term to stabilize during early recovery. Others benefit from longer support. You and your provider will decide what feels right for you.
Is MAT private and confidential?
Yes. All services at Foundations Group Recovery Center are fully confidential. If you’re worried about privacy, you’re not alone—and you’ll be treated with respect and care every step of the way.
Ready to take the first step?
Call (888) 501-5618 or visit to learn more about our Medication-Assisted Treatment services in Upper Arlington, OH.
You’re allowed to need help. Even during the holidays. Especially then.
