However, often shame is linked to relapse, which can be detrimental to someone’s recovery. In fact, the NIDAfinds that relapse statistics show that 40-60% of people relapse after completing addiction treatment.

myths about addiction and recovery

This is actually a very dangerous misconception that many people have. The longer you wait to encourage someone to seek treatment, the sicker they get, which can lead to deadly consequences. Hitting “rock bottom” is not a prerequisite for recovery.

The Five Myths

Addiction regularly controls all aspects of an individual’s life and alters the chemistry and functionality of the brain. The disease of addiction affects the functioning of the frontal lobes of the brain which leads to difficulty in appreciating consequences and difficulty in making decisions. Many factors combine to create the “perfect storm,” and many of those struggling experienced traumatic events and use substances a coping mechanism.

  • Because of that, it affects people from all walks of life in all income classes and for various reasons.
  • While the initial choice to use a drug may not have been a wise decision, people don’t set out to become addicted to drugs and alcohol and they certainly do not choose the consequences that come with it.
  • Keeping a secret is a huge psychological burden and takes quite the effort to maintain.
  • To make this process easier, The Recovery Village offers someguidelines to help you find the right rehab.

Red Oaks Recovery offers a way forward for individuals living with an addiction. We also have services available to help loved ones understand the disease and find their own path to healing. It takes myths about addiction and recovery more than love and concern to help someone with a brain disorder, which is what addiction is. You should seek support for yourself and your loved one as you both work to overcome this issue.

Myth #8 if They Relapse, It Means Theyve Failed

It’s natural to feel this way, but pausing from your current daily life can positively benefit your treatment and overall recovery. You will also spend time learning how to take care of your body and mind through healthy eating and exercise.

  • It does not mean that treatment has failed or that sobriety is a lost cause.
  • When you give yourself time to heal in an environment that’s free from triggers, you are giving yourself a better chance of maintaining your sobriety after you return home.
  • “ If it’s a prescription, it must be safe; you can’t get addicted to something your doctor prescribes”.
  • Someone who chooses to address their addiction this way typically attempts to stop using drugs or alcohol at home by themselves.
  • It is important to talk about addiction openly and honestly so that not only those who need treatment get the support they need, but those around them can understand how to be a positive support system.

What matters is when the person drinks, why the person drinks, and how much they drink. Visit our blog that explains the difference between heavy drinking and alcoholism. There are many stereotypes when it comes to how addicts look. Some people believe they are easy to spot as they are usually poor or homeless. However, the truth is, anyone can become an addict, and they are often hard to spot. Addiction should have no stereotypes because no one is safe from this disease.

The Trouble With Porn „addiction“

“The majority of people who achieve recovery do not go to such programs, although they can be helpful for many,” Manejwala says. Here are some myths about addiction recovery, debunked by the experts who help people with treatment every day. For example, one may relapse because they undergo a severe stressor such as a big move, a change in a job, or a divorce. They could be following their treatment program and be in recovery for years, but relapse can occur at any time. Some relapses may be worse than others, as some individuals may have to re-enter treatment, whereas others may address their relapse and the underlying causes on their own. The ability to have a family, hold a job and maintain a decent lifestyle does not preclude anyone from addiction challenges related to drugs or alcohol.

Unfortunately, this myth persists because, throughout prolonged substance abuse, people with addiction often make poor choices that can negatively affect the lives of those around them. The truth is that addicts act in ways that occur due to changes in the brain’s functioning. This can can compel them to do things they may not otherwise, so they can continue to use. Addiction is a disease, and it is comparable to physical ailments like diabetes or heart disease. Studies have found that the relapse rates for drug addiction are almost identical to relapse rates for common physical problems, like hypertension and arthritis. Although addiction cannot be cured like many chronic illnesses, it can be successfully managed and treated with ongoing assistance from doctors and therapists. A person with a condition like diabetes will need to attend ongoing doctor’s appointments, and so will a person with an addiction.

Myth No 7: Those Who Suffer From Addiction Are Bad

Even if you don’t have a drink until you get home from work or if you only do drugs on the weekend, recreationally, you can still be vulnerable to addiction. If you’re locked in a battle to overcome addiction, an alcohol or drug recovery program can help — no matter what you may be addicted to. The longer you wait to seek help, the larger your problems can loom, potentially causing irreparable harm in every part of your life. While addiction is a familiar concept to most, there are lots of misguided beliefs about addiction and those who suffer from it.

A significant part of the treatment process is shedding the behaviors and situations that likely contributed to your addiction in the first place. When you give yourself time to heal in an environment that’s free from triggers, you are giving yourself a better chance of maintaining your sobriety after you return home. If an intensive outpatient program is right for you, you can seek treatment without leaving home for extended periods. The idea of putting your life on hold to enter a treatment program may seem overwhelming. You may be scared to leave your loved ones behind or worried you won’t have a place to return when your treatment concludes.

As you progress in your recovery, you will find you can make choices and spend time with friends without constant fear of relapse. Part of this comes from making the most of your treatment program, learning to identify your triggers and developing strong coping strategies for saying “no” when you face temptation. You might also join a rehab alumni community to enjoy sobriety-friendly events and create new friend circles with others who understand and support your recovery journey. If you enter our residential program, you can expect healthy meals, time to socialize with peers and comfortable surroundings designed to help you relax and focus on recovery.

Five Common Myths About Addiction And Five Truths!

Every day, 29 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes. Unfortunately, prescription drugs can be incredibly harmful if a person takes them without a prescription. Even taking a drug as prescribed can have potentially devastating side effects. Just because a drug is legal and prescribed by a physician does not mean it is 100% safe.

“Marijuana is not addictive.” Yes, marijuana is addictive. Most recreational marijuana users who try to stop taking the drug experience withdrawal symptoms.

myths about addiction and recovery

A recurrence may be a sign that the treatment approach or other supports need to change, or that other treatment methods are needed. These overwhelming impulses help explain the compulsive and often baffling behavior around addiction. People will keep using even when terrible things happen to them. We strive to provide resources for alumni of our programs, because we know how difficult it can be to use resiliency when you need it most. I came in hopeless and left hopeful, with a treasure chest full of “good” coping tools. My life is now mine to live without the burden of alcohol. Choosing recovery close to home means your support system is just a few miles away.

Addiction Myth #4: Every Person That Uses Drugs Is An Addict

It simply means a person needs more help to get beyond dependence. Relapse in no way is a predictor that someone won’t “get it” or that they are unable to get sober. Relapse is a common part of recovery and not an individual failure.

Alcohol use disorder is not as bad as substance use disorder. You are just substituting one addiction for another with medication-assisted treatment. Addiction doesn’t corrode your will forever – recovery is hard, but it’s a road that, if anything, only serves to bolster and embolden a person’s will. They can prevent addicts from asking for help when they need it. The best way to combat misconceptions is to be educated about the truth. An anabranch is a portion of a river or stream that diverts—that is, branches off from—the main channel but then rejoins it again downstream.

Myth #2: Relapse Is A Sign That Treatment Has Been A Failure

Whether you are contemplating this decision or it’s already been made, you should be proud of yourself for taking this https://ecosoberhouse.com/ important first step. Those in recovery are taught to fear relapse, and certainly, this is a legitimate fear.

It will be uncomfortable but the momentary discomfort does not compare to the grave dangers of prolonged addiction. Be supportive, open and honest both for yourself and those around you. There is no time limit in the process of recovery, take it in strides. Everyone responds to 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.

The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers is a nonprofit professional society designed to offer support to organizations across the continuum of care. Since 1978, it has extended resources, advocacy and thought leadership to its members. The fact is that any type of substance of abuse can be dangerous.