If you or a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol, you’re not alone. In fact, nearly half of adults in the U.S. have a friend or family member battling substance addiction. And yet, many people still don’t understand this problem, opting to believe rumors and misconceptions about addiction instead of finding out the truth. That’s why we wanted to discuss some of the most common misconceptions about addiction—and the truth behind them.
Some people think of only jobless, childless, and even homeless people when they think of drug addiction. But that’s just a stereotype, as many people struggle with addiction while going to work every day, and may even be quite successful in their industry. In fact, studies show that about 70% of the 14.8 million Americans who abuse drugs are employed. This addiction problem costs employers about $81 billion per year and is the reason so many employers conduct random drug testing. That wouldn’t be the case if most people struggling with addiction were jobless.
Similarly, many people who are addicted are married or in long-term relationships and are raising children. They’re typically called functional types, as they can work and raise a family, but secretly struggle with addiction to drugs or alcohol. So just because someone you know and love seems successful at work or comes off as a great partner and parent, that doesn’t mean he or she isn’t battling addiction behind closed doors.
One of the most common misconceptions about addiction is that people who are addicted can just quit. But the fact is that it’s not that simple. Addiction isn’t just about willpower. It’s a disease that changes the brain, so people who are addicted can’t always solve the issue on their own any more than they can conduct brain surgery by themselves. They often need help from medical professionals with years of experience treating patients, just as they would with any other disease.
In fact, depending on the drug, someone who tries to quit on their own at home could end up very sick or even dead. With some substances—including opiates and alcohol—you need to quit gradually and have supervision from a doctor as your body gets used to being without the drug. Otherwise, the symptoms of withdrawal could be deadly. So if you or a loved one is ready to quit using dangerous substances, look into detox at a qualified facility today to make withdrawal as safe as possible.
As explained above, addiction to drugs and alcohol actually changes your brain. So while trying the drug for the first time may be a choice, becoming addicted isn’t a choice. The first thing to understand regarding misconceptions about addiction like this one is that some people are more likely to become addicted than others.
For instance, if addiction runs in the family, that person has a high chance of becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol. This is because studies suggest that there’s a genetic component to addiction, meaning some people are predisposed to this problem because of their genes. Not only that, but there’s also an environmental component, meaning someone who grew up watching their parents, siblings, and friends abuse drugs are more likely to do this themselves. Finally, many underlying, untreated mental problems can make some people more likely than others to become addicted to dangerous substances. People struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, etc. may take illegal drugs to self-medicate. That’s why if you’re addicted, you need drug treatment services to help you quit.
One of the most common misconceptions about addiction is that if a doctor prescribes a drug, it can’t be that bad. But the truth is that an addiction to prescription drugs can be very serious, since taking too many of these drugs or mixing them with other substances can be deadly. In fact, the misconception that prescription drugs are not harmful may make them more dangerous than street drugs, since some people may feel a false sense of safety abusing them and end up overdosing.
The fact is that if you’ve ever taken more than the prescribed dose of a medication, or if you’ve ever taken them not as prescribed—such as by crushing up pills and snorting them—you’re abusing them. This is often a sign of addiction. And if you think you’re safe from addiction to prescription drugs just because you only have the limited amount that the doctor prescribed, keep in mind that many people take prescription pills, become addicted, and then move on to street drugs since they may be cheaper and easier to get. As a result, addiction to prescription drugs is extremely serious and requires treatment.
Another of the top misconceptions about addiction is the idea that once you’re addicted, you’ll be this way for life. But the truth is that while you might struggle with addiction for years, you can get treatment that works so well that you never abuse drugs again. It’s possible to live a long, happy life after you quit abusing drugs and alcohol.
You just have to find the right treatment option that works for you, whether that’s inpatient or outpatient, medication-assisted therapy or counseling…or a combination of several methods. If you want to find out more about what’s available to you, contact us today to go over your treatment options!
