Debunking Myths About Addiction Treatment

Addicts typically already feel ashamed, especially if they’re in recovery. Shame is one of the powerful emotional drivers behind the continued cycle of addiction, driving addicts to seek solace from their habit or substance. But that doesn’t mean that successfully recovering or recovered addicts somehow have lost the ability or privilege to be talented, capable caretakers. That helps greatly when caring for a loved one, regardless of age or ability/disability. We can’t tell for sure what factors are in every case, only that there is research to back up the involvement of each of the above factors and that every case is different and unique. And that’s what makes addiction tough to talk about – its cause can’t be generalized, simplified, or blamed on a single issue or problem.

A person battling a substance abuse problem needs individualized medical and/or clinical treatments, integrative therapies, andmindfulness practicesto restore balance to their life. They also need to develop coping skills and to re-establish strong connections with family, employers, and friends — a crucial part of success in recovery. Through proper treatment, a person struggling with addiction will be able to deal with the major and minor issues that likely caused them to resort to alcohol or drugs as coping mechanisms in the past. This myth is propagated by 12-step recovery programs, which encourage lifelong attendance of meetings to combat a chronic disorder and reduce the risk of relapse. If you become addicted to heroin, it doesn’t mean that you’re a lifelong heroin addict, or that drinking a single drop of alcohol will cause you to become an alcoholic. Not everyone who uses these substances becomes addicted, but occasional use can quickly become misuse or abuse.

Myth: People Choose to Get Addicted

Keeping a secret is a huge psychological burden and takes quite the effort to maintain. Letting your friends and family see changes in you without any context is difficult on both ends. Letting them know what is going on opens the door to beneficial support. Everyone responds to myths about addiction and recovery treatment very differently, even if it is the same substance being abused. A successful treatment should be tailored to the individual and their specific needs. Mental Health for Young Adults Learn about our evidence-based approach to depression and behavioral health conditions.

• But it would be naive to say it is as easy as just recognizing the problem—and then putting a stop to it by seeking treatment.
• We’re all in this together and experience different struggles throughout life.

As part of our lifelong continuing care program, our clients can enjoy ongoing support and access to vital healthcare resources even after treatment is formally complete. By replacing the common myths about addiction with actual facts, we can slowly change society’s negative attitude and make healthcare accessible for all. As many families have come to understand, painfully, all the love and support in the world may not be enough to keep a loved one from becoming an addict. People with substance use disorder will experience changes in how their brains function.

Legal Medication Doesn’t Count As Addictive

A life of sobriety is the goal for every person who walks through our doors and every team member is passionate about helping you achieve that goal. So, whether you are searching for “PHP program near me” or simply “outpatient addiction treatment”,contact ustoday to begin your journey. Thecost of rehab with insurancecan be much more https://ecosoberhouse.com/ affordable than paying on your own. Even if yourinsurance won’t cover drug rehab, some recovery centers offer financial aid or payment programs. Your employer may be willing to help with costs, or a family member may be able to help. The long-term costs of addiction are far greater than the short-term costs of medical treatment.

Mental Health For Teens Learn about our evidence-based approach to depression and behavioral health conditions. Keep in mind that most people with addiction who experience a recurrence will return to recovery. Short-term medical use of opioid painkillers can help to manage severe pain after an accident or surgery.

The myth: It’s only dangerous to be addicted to illegal drugs.

Rehab gives patients access to a team of experienced medical professionals and therapists who can manage the multitude of complex issues that addiction patients often face. It takes about two hours for the adult body to fully process one drink, depending on their weight, age, physical health, and gender. Drinking coffee, taking a cold shower, or eating will not enable the liver to process alcohol any more quickly than it usually could.

Relapse in drug addiction and with other chronic health conditions is a part of the journey to getting better and successfully managing health issues. Misconceptions about addiction have been in circulation for centuries. It wasn’t until recently that the medical and scientific communities became aware of how the brain impacts behavior, emotions, and addiction. In fact, the knowledge that addiction originates in complex brain and biological processes is a new development.

GATEWAY REHAB’S FOUNDER DR. ABRAHAM TWERSKI SPEAKS ON DEPRESSION

While addiction is a familiar concept to most, there are lots of misguided beliefs about addiction and those who suffer from it. Over the years, people have continued to reinforce and circulate damaging myths about addiction. These can be extremely harmful to those struggling with this disease, so we have compiled a list of 5 common myths about addiction to debunk. Also, substance abuse alters the way our brains work, so that we become dependent on a drug to give us chemicals our brain is supposed to create for us. After a person stops using, it takes time for their brain to begin making those “feel good” chemicals again.