Factors like genetics and the environment in which a person grows up can play a large role in future addictive behaviors. Drugs and alcohol can impact the structure of a person’s brain from their first usage. As they continue to use substances, the drug rewires the brain until it believes it can no longer function without it.

It’s also an emotional and psychological dependence on those substances. So, even if a person suddenly stops drinking or using drugs, he or she still needs to overcome the emotional and mental dependencies. Some people believe that because alcohol is legal and many people drink, it’s not as dangerous as illegal https://rehabliving.net/ drugs. However, alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs available. Globally, nearly 3 million people die each year due to the harmful effects of alcohol, which represents 5.3% of all deaths. Consuming too much alcohol can lead to overdoses, and people addicted can actually die from withdrawal.

• The high that the substances produce puts them in a constant cycle of looking for their next fix.
• Studies show that people who volunteer for treatment and those who were pressured into it still experience the same success rates.
• Many addicts function in a regular life and can even lead very successful lives.
• Red Oaks Recovery offers a way forward for individuals living with an addiction.
• It can actually be a very physically and emotionally challenging life to lead, and most of those who suffer from it wouldn’t choose to live that way if given the chance.
• The information on this website is not intended to be a substitute for, or to be relied upon as, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Drinking coffee, taking a cold shower, or eating will not enable the liver to process alcohol any more quickly than it usually could. This is a dangerous myth that contributes to drunk driving rates. Every day, 29 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes. Many teens will try marijuana as a way to experiment with drugs, “look cool,” relieve stress or to alleviate boredom.

It is okay if someone doesn’t have a desire for treatment; there can still be a potential for change. Addiction is a disease that is not well understood in the medical community. While there has been scientific progress in this realm of medical science, there is still a massive social stigma regarding abuse and addiction.

If you’ve been suffering from substance use disorder, you may be all too familiar with feelings of helplessness. Many individuals who struggle with alcoholism or drug use have difficulty moving past these problems. It can be hard to overcome substance use disorder because of mental, emotional, and physical dependencies.

#1 Quitting Drugs Is a Matter of Willpower

Another problem with eco sober house rating is that they promote falsehoods that may lead people to believe drugs or alcohol are not as dangerous as they have been led to believe. It’s a common notion to assume that addicted individuals just lack the willpower to overcome their drug or alcohol abuse. However, addiction actually changes the brain of the user, severely impairing willpower and hampering self-control. Those who seek help can indeed recover and go on to live long, fruitful lives.

Your doctor should always consider your health conditions, current, and past drug use, as well as alternative medications before prescribing a potentially addictive drug to treat your symptoms. If you feel uncomfortable taking a medication that your doctor prescribed, there is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking a second opinion or asking your doctor about alternative options. Speak with professionals at your treatment center to find out the best way to end addiction in your life, once and for all. For all of these reasons, it’s important to seek professional help right away if you’re struggling with substance abuse. Did a person with diabetes eat sweets every day to get the disease? So, why do so many people believe the common myth that alcoholics drink every day?

Wait Until You’re at the Bottom to Seek Treatment

They make bad choices in life because they are addicted. Once you’re in active addiction, “just stopping” drugs or alcohol without treatment and drastic lifestyle changes is extremely difficult. Another common myth about addiction is that enrolling in detox will cure the addiction. The truth about addiction is that detox only rids the body of the toxins but it does not address the root causes of the disorder. Most quality treatment centers recommend detox alongside evidence-based therapies and holistic practices to maximize the chances of recovery.

Medication doesn’t just count as a valid form of addiction when it’s gotten in illegal quantities through a stolen prescription pad or improper channels. There’s no telling whether you can beat your addiction alone until you do – but many people manage it, especially with alcoholism or nicotine. It’s unknown why some people can beat their vices alone and others can’t get past the critical curve without help, but it further shows that addicts and addiction cases are never cut from the same cloth. Thanks to a mixture of societal stigma and media, we have a one-sided, simplistic view of addicts, which worsens the issue for us as a society.

Now that you know some of the most common myths about addiction, you know how difficult it can be for people with an addiction to reach out for help. The reality is the opposite – ecstasy users, for example, consume several different types of drugs, including alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana on top of ecstasy, and many ecstasy users also use meth. Addiction is something that has long been misunderstood and overlooked. It’s best to be aware of the truth behind addiction and how it affects those suffering from it. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, Gateway Rehab offers a multitude of recovery services and educational programs. While addiction is a familiar concept to most, there are lots of misguided beliefs about addiction and those who suffer from it.

#7 Prescription Drugs Are Safer Than Street Drugs

Four in ten people who drink alcohol before age fifteen will become alcoholics. Problem drinking in students accounts for a high number of physical assaults, rape, and poor academic performance among high school and college students. Misuse of these drugs or taking someone else’s medication can have dangerous—even deadly—consequences.

The myth that marijuana is not addictive can lull someone into a false sense of security, and increase the rate of teens trying the drug. Unfortunately, pot is an addictive substance, and one in eleven people who try marijuana will form an addiction. Alyssa who is the National Director of Digital Marketing, joined the Banyan team in 2016, bringing her five-plus years of experience. She has produced a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. Through strategic marketing campaign concepts, Alyssa has established Banyan as an industry leader and a national household name.

Recovery from drug addiction is a long process that often involves setbacks. Relapse doesn’t mean that treatment has failed or that sobriety is a lost cause. It is a signal to get back on track, either by going back to treatment or adjusting the treatment approach. Many treatments are available, and people with addiction may try several treatment options before they find the one that works for them. “Research has shown time and again that there are many paths to recovery,” Manejwala says.

This is known as relapse, and many people think it means treatment has failed. This is a myth, says Paul Brethen, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Addiction Specialist. 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. Remember, addicts are battling a disease, not a character flaw or shortcoming. Prescription drug abuse is a prevalent, growing issue, especially among young adults.

• If they maintain the frame of mind that they’re in recovery for a loved one, that’s okay.
• Here at Crest View Recovery Center, we are committed to helping our clients find hope.
• The forefront of addiction and recovery is inundated with outdated and blatantly false information.

Unfortunately, abuse of these drugs can be deadly, with nearlyfive young adults dyingeach day from prescription drug overdose. Prescription medications have the potential to be as addictive and deadly as illicit drugs. While society has improved in understanding addiction, a lot remains unclear, especially for those who have never struggled with a drug or alcohol addiction. Once addiction takes hold, the brain chemistry can actually change making it hard to control impulses.

Myths of Substance Abuse & Treatment

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. Sometimes people have a lot more empathy than you’d think. If you are not ready to share with your loved ones, every state has a variety of Alcohol Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings available by region. Scientists and researchers have categorized addiction as a “complex disease.” But that doesn’t mean there is no help or hope for addiction issues.

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Myth 1: Treatment Isn’t Necessary. You Can Just Quit Cold Turkey.

When you purchase any of these services, WebMD may receive a fee. WebMD does not endorse any product, service or treatment referred to on this page. Talk to your counselor or sponsor, refocus andgive recovery another chance. Rehab isn’t just a place.It’s an education and a lifestyle. It’s where you gain the skills you need to combat cravings, and where you get a taste of what your life can look like without addiction.

So, the stress from moving away from everyone you know, getting a new job, or going to college can be enough to cause a person to return to bad habits. Regardless if an addict is drinking, gambling, or using drugs – even in private – it eventually does begin to hurt people around them. Addiction can not only affect others, but it can also ruin other people’s lives, especially those closest to the person. Addiction can also destroy relationships because, let’s face it, it’s not easy to see a loved one suffer. This type of disease usually causes behavioral changes in people, leading to them acting differently towards their friends and family members. Addiction is a disease, and it is comparable to physical ailments like diabetes or heart disease.

Make a real impact on the scientific, engineering, and health-related challenges facing society. Whether as a sponsor or donor, a member or volunteer, or an employee or fellow, you can make a difference. A powerful way to foster appreciation for the impact of science and critical and innovative thinking is through art and the humanities. Learn more about the National Academies’ various programs designed to connect, engage, and inspire. Top experts participate in our projects, activities, and studies to examine and assemble evidence-based findings to address some of society’s greatest challenges.