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Almost everything we think we know about addiction is wrong. These myths hurt families, friends and our community – and they make it harder for people to get well.One of the top reasons people put off treatment is a fear of the social consequences. In a nutshell, they fear the label of "recovered addict." Why? Because in many cases they risk facing social humiliation and a variety of legal restrictions on driving, housing, custody of children, business licensing, as well as an extended period of mandated drug testing, many of which stem from a misunderstanding of the disease of addiction.
People with addictions are bad and need to be punished.Reality: Sometimes, after prolonged substance use, people with addiction do horrible things. These bad acts are often impossible to understand. They are due to profound changes in the brain that compel them to lie, cheat, steal or worse, in order to keep using. While this behavior can't be condoned, it's important to understand that they do it because they are deeply sick and need help. Sick people need treatment, not punishment, to get well.
There is an addiction geneThere is no single gene, or set of genes, that determines whether or not a person will develop a substance use. And even if a person's parents are users, it doesn't mean they will be too. Current addiction research shows that roughly 50% of addiction tendencies are attributable to genes.That's a high percentage, but it still leaves half of the equation up to the environment and personal experiences. The addiction gene myth lulls many people into a false sense of confidence about their own drug use while paradoxically also discouraging many individuals from seeking treatment.
You have to hit 'rock bottom'Here's why this is dangerous: If we wait until a person "bottoms out," it could be too late to help them.Every person has a different "bottom." For some, it could be getting arrested or becoming homeless. For many, it's much less dramatic -- losing an important personal relationship, being confronted by family or doing poorly at work or school.There is little evidence that the level of consequences a person accumulates before seeking help is related to their chances of succeeding in recovery. It's better to get help early than to hold out for the perfect desperate moment.
If someone relapses, they're a lost cause.
Reality: Try not to be too discouraged by a relapse, which is a re occurrence of symptoms of the disease. Addiction is a chronic illness very similar to type II diabetes or hypertension, meaning it requires lifelong management. Relapse is no more likely with addiction than it is for these other chronic illnesses.
Getting well involves changing deeply embedded behaviors, which takes time and effort, and sometimes there are setbacks. This doesn't mean that previous treatments failed, because the person with the disease still made progress overall in getting well.
A re-occurrence of symptoms may be a sign that the treatment approach or other supports need to re-evaluated or strengthened, or that other treatment methods are needed.
There is hope. Keep in mind that most people with substance use who suffer a re occurrence of symptoms will return to recovery.
Reality: Try not to be too discouraged by a relapse, which is a re occurrence of symptoms of the disease. Addiction is a chronic illness very similar to type II diabetes or hypertension, meaning it requires lifelong management. Relapse is no more likely with addiction than it is for these other chronic illnesses.
Getting well involves changing deeply embedded behaviors, which takes time and effort, and sometimes there are setbacks. This doesn't mean that previous treatments failed, because the person with the disease still made progress overall in getting well.
A re-occurrence of symptoms may be a sign that the treatment approach or other supports need to re-evaluated or strengthened, or that other treatment methods are needed.
There is hope. Keep in mind that most people with substance use who suffer a re occurrence of symptoms will return to recovery.
