| Myth 1: People that are addicted to drugs and/or | | | | access to drugs and alcohol and this thought |
| alcohol decided to use them in the first place, so | | | | frightens users. An addicted person usually goes into |
| essentially they decided to become addicted. | | | | drug rehab because the court orders him or her to or |
| While it is true that most people made a conscious | | | | because of the urging from family and friends. |
| decision to use drugs or alcohol initially, they didn't | | | | Studies have shown that the reasons why a person |
| purposely become addicted. Using occasionally turns | | | | goes into treatment has little effect on success |
| into using often. The more a person partakes in the | | | | rates. If the treatment center is thorough, the |
| use of an addictive substance, the more their bodies | | | | person will gain the benefits from attending it-even if |
| and brains become dependent upon that substance. | | | | he or she did not want to go initially. |
| Eventually the addiction takes over and that person | | | | Myth 4: Users and addicts won't seek help until they |
| becomes a compulsive user, dependent on it. Drugs | | | | hit 'rock bottom' and parents and families should wait |
| and alcohol actually change the way a brain is | | | | until the addict hits 'rock bottom' before getting the |
| supposed to function and the addict becomes | | | | addict into treatment. |
| obsessed with getting the 'next fix.' So while the initial | | | | People enter into treatment every day before they |
| use was voluntary, the addiction takes over and | | | | hit their personal 'rock bottom.' It's best not to wait |
| using is no longer a choice. | | | | because 'rock bottom' could mean death or serious |
| Myth 2: People that are addicted are terrible, bad, | | | | disability. The things that motivate a person to get |
| insane and immoral. | | | | into treatment differ but it is always best when the |
| When a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol, they | | | | person admits to having a problem. The time to act |
| have a disease. And while it might not be a disease | | | | is now. |
| you catch because of germs, it is a disease that is | | | | Myth 5: People that are addicted to drugs and alcohol |
| often genetic. The terrible disease of addiction | | | | are hopeless and a waste of time to deal with. |
| affects the body and the brain in countless ways. | | | | Most addicts relapse at one point or another in their |
| The especially sad part about this is that no matter | | | | lives. Addiction is a chronic disease and it is one that |
| what substance a person is addicted to, the result on | | | | the recovering addict battles with everyday for the |
| the brain is always similar. The tiniest of molecules | | | | rest or his or her life. No one is hopeless and addicts |
| and cells actually change and the changes affect the | | | | go on to live sober, productive and healthy lives. |
| addict's mood, memory, motor skills and more. All of | | | | They just must keep their sobriety as the number |
| this combined creates a physical and mental need for | | | | one priority. It can be tricky when you add in factors |
| more and more of the addictive substance. This need | | | | such as a spouse, children, and work. Pressures build |
| becomes the most powerful motivator in the addict's | | | | and can lead to a relapse. However, if a person |
| life. Addiction doesn't make a person terrible, or bad, | | | | follows up treatment with aftercare, such as |
| or insane, or immoral. It's a disease that takes over | | | | attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and |
| the person's entire being and they have little, if any, | | | | speaking on a regular basis with his or her sponsor, |
| control over it. | | | | relapse is less likely to occur. |
| Myth 3: In order for treatment to work, the addict | | | | The bottom line is that so many of the beliefs people |
| has to want it. | | | | have about addiction and recovery are incredibly |
| The vast majority of users will say that they do not | | | | wrong. Education and awareness can combat these |
| want treatment. The reason for this is | | | | vicious myths but it takes diligence on the part of |
| simple-treatment means they will no longer have | | | | addict and the public to see things as they really are. |