Myths About Addiction
Myths About Addiction
Myths About Addiction
When you hear the word “addiction”, what things come to your mind?
We are going to take a closer look at a few of the common myths about addiction and see if we can use
the information we learned to come up with responses to the misconceptions
What could you say to someone who says, “Addiction is just a lack of self control”?
What could you say to someone who says, “If I only use a drug occasionally then I can’t be addicted.”?
What could you say to someone who says, “It’s always easy to tell when someone is addicted to a
drug.”?
MYTH
Reality: No one would choose to get addiction, any more than they'd choose to get cancer.
Addiction is a consequence of many contributing factors, including genetics, upbringing, trauma
and other influences. People with addiction are usually living pretty miserable lives and wouldn't
choose to live that way if given the chance.
Reality: For people who are vulnerable to addiction, substance use can lead to profound
changes in the brain. These changes hijack the natural “reward pathway” of the brain. In nature,
rewards usually only come with effort and after a delay. But addictive substances shortcut this
process and flood the brain with chemicals that signal pleasure.
When the disease takes hold, these changes in the brain erode a person’s self-control and ability
to make good decisions, while sending highly intense impulses to take drugs. These are the same
circuits linked to survival, driving powerful urges no different from those driving the need to eat
or drink water.
These overwhelming impulses help explain the compulsive and often baffling behavior around
addiction. People will keep using even when terrible things happen to them.
Reality: This disease does not discriminate. Addiction can affect anyone. No matter your age or
income, ethnicity or religion, family or profession. Nationally, about one in eight people ages 12
and up are impacted.
Myth: If someone has a stable job and family life, they can’t be suffering from
addiction.
Reality: Many people live in denial because they’re successful in their professional lives, or
because they don’t drink until after 5 p.m., or because they come from a “good” home. The
reality is that anyone can be vulnerable to addiction. Many people hide the severity of their
illness or don’t get help because of stigma and shame. If drinking or using drugs is causing any
kind of conflict or problem in your personal or professional life, it’s worth seeking support.
Myth: People have to hit “rock bottom” before they can get well.
Reality: This simply isn’t true, and it’s dangerous. The longer you wait, the sicker the person
gets, and this can have deadly consequences. Studies show that people forced into treatment have
an equal chance of success as people who decide to go on their own.
Also, people who get help before their illness is so severe have more resources to draw upon,
such as supportive family or a job, to help them successfully recover. So the sooner someone
gets help, the better.
Reality: Addiction is a chronic disease, which means it's a long-lasting condition that can be
controlled but not cured. Treatment can be the first step toward wellness, but it’s just the very
beginning. Many people need more than one treatment visit to get on a stable path to wellness.
More importantly, staying well requires a lifelong commitment to personally managing the
disease.
Getting well involves changing deeply embedded behaviors. This takes time and effort and
sometimes results in setbacks. This doesn’t mean previous treatments failed, because the person
with the disease still made progress overall in getting well.
A recurrence may be a sign that the treatment approach or other supports need to change, or that
other treatment methods are needed.
There is hope. Keep in mind that most people with addiction who suffer a recurrence will return
to recovery.
Reality: Human behavior begins in the brain. Advanced brain studies show that different types
of treatments, such as psychotherapy and medication, can change brain function. This is true for
depression and other illnesses, including addiction. Sometimes behavioral treatments, like
counseling, are enough. Sometimes medication may be required as well. But the fact that
behavioral treatments can be effective does not mean addiction isn’t a real illness.
Myth: Prescription drugs are not addictive like street drugs because they come
from a doctor.
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