Another common myth is the idea that once someone becomes addicted, they https://callidubai.com/alcohol-withdrawal-and-blood-pressure-risks/ will always have an addiction and can never fully recover. This thinking can discourage individuals from seeking treatment or make them feel hopeless about their future. One of the most damaging myths is the belief that addiction is simply a matter of choice, implying that those who have an addiction lack moral substance or discipline. Just as every individual is different, addiction treatment should vary as well. While an inpatient alcohol and drug rehab program may have been a fantastic choice for your mom, your coworker may benefit more from an outpatient drug rehab program. Much of it will depend on personal circumstances, the person’s current and past drug use, and any previous treatment they have received in the past.
Mental Health and Loneliness
- Education and spreading accurate information can also help break down stigmas.
- 28.9 million of those people had an alcohol use disorder (AUD), 27.2 million had a drug use disorder (DUD), and 7.5 million people had both.
- It’s like catching a disease in its early stages – the sooner you start treatment, the better the prognosis.
This misconception damages lives by preventing people from finding the healing they need and deserve. The truth is that anyone can find and afford addiction treatment with the appropriate guidance from a doctor, an addiction hotline, the insurance specialists at nearby rehab centers, etc. There are numerous resources available to help people in need find treatment programs that will work for their individual circumstances—they just have to ask for help. One of the saddest drug addiction myths is the belief that addicts are simply bad people.
Relapse: Understanding and Changing Treatment Approach
It allows people and their support systems to tweak treatment plans and strategies. Instead, you’ll need to constantly work towards your goal, which might involve therapy, support groups, aftercare, and lifestyle shifts. But addiction changes how your brain’s reward and decision-making systems work. I’ve seen firsthand how misunderstandings about addiction can really mess with someone’s head. It’s where you gain the skills you need to combat cravings, and where you get a taste of what your life can look like without addiction. That being said, the consequences of addiction (or costs of using) are oftentimes what tip the motivational balance, leading to increased motivation.
Myth #4: You can’t get addicted to prescription drugs.
Studies have shown that genetics can account for 40-60% of a person’s vulnerability to addiction. It’s like being born with a predisposition to diabetes or heart disease – it doesn’t mean you’re destined to develop the condition, but myths about addiction it does increase your risk. This myth that addiction occurs due to a moral defect or is purely a choice has trickled down into many institutions that deal with drugs in the United States. Insurance companies contribute to the problem by often failing to cover addiction the same way other chronic diseases are covered. The war on drugs has also worsened the problem by treating those facing addiction as criminals.
- Misconceptions about addiction can lead to stigmatization and discrimination against individuals struggling with substance abuse.
- Having a mental and physical dependence on something makes it that much more difficult.
- Their wake-up call might come to them when they experience a breakup with their significant other or are no longer excelling at school or work.
- By dispelling this myth and promoting early intervention, we can save lives and improve outcomes.
- Today, thanks to science, our views and our responses to addiction and the broader spectrum of substance use disorders have changed dramatically.
Myth 6: Treatment Is A One-Size-Fits-All Approach
Recovery is not one-size-fits-all, and the growing variety of accessible treatments ensures that more people can get the help they need, regardless of financial and other constraints. These options Alcoholics Anonymous often provide the flexibility and affordability needed to make recovery more accessible. “Addiction does not discriminate.” It affects individuals from all backgrounds, Dr. Sanders points out, ranging from the wealthy entrepreneur to the school teacher.
