Top Myths About Substance Abuse and Treatment

Here are some of the top myths about substance abuse and treatment:

Myth #1 Drug and alcohol addiction is a voluntary behavior. It’s true that using drugs or alcohol is a voluntary decision in the beginning. But over time, continued use of drugs or alcohol alters the way your brain works and leads to compulsive, even uncontrollable use of drugs and alcohol.

Myth #2 Drug and alcohol addiction is a character flaw.  Addiction is a brain disease. Drugs and alcohol hijacks the reward system in the brain until they become the most powerful motivator in a person’s life. Addiction is not a character flaw, lack of willpower, or moral failing. It is a disease that requires medical attention.

Myth #3 One of the most common myths about substance abuse and treatment is that Somebody has to reach ‘rock bottom’ before they’ll seek treatment. There are many ways that someone can be motivated to seek treatment before they hit rock bottom. This pressure can come from family, friends, work, etc.

Myth #4 You have to want treatment for it to work. The two main reasons that someone enters treatment is because a loved one has strongly encouraged them or because a court orders them to. And studies have shown that people who enter treatment because of a great deal of pressure to do so often have more successful recoveries.

Myth #5 Treatment just doesn’t work. Studies show that treatment can help in many ways regardless if a person is unable to remain sober afterwards. It’s also important to remember that sobriety doesn’t always happen the first time. Sometimes additional treatment is needed or a different type of program.

Myth #6 If you’ve tried one treatment program, then you’ve tried them all. Not every doctor or program is the right fit for everyone. You might need to research several different places or doctor before finding the right fit.

Myth #7 People don’t really need treatment. They can stop using if they really want to. Because of the impact that drug and alcohol addiction has on the brain it is extremely difficult for people to achieve long-term sobriety without treatment.

Myth #8 People who relapse after treatment are hopeless. Relapse is a common occurrence after treatment. And it’s not an indication of whether someone can go onto to have a successful, long-term recovery. In fact relapsing can sometimes be a great motivator and offer insight into how to build an even better and stronger recovery.

Myth #9 There is a magic bullet to treat all forms of substance abuse. There are no magic bullets when it comes to treating substance abuse. Different things work for different people.

Myth #10 There should be a standard treatment program for everyone. There is not ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to substance abuse treatment. In fact, the most successful treatment programs recognize this and tailor individual treatment plans based on the individual needs of a person.