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These are just a few of the Myths About Addiction

Myth Addiction is a choice.

Addiction is a brain disease. Every type of drug has its own mechanism for changing how the brain functions; effects on the brain are similar, ranging from changes in the molecules and cells that make up the brain to mood and memory processes — even on motor skills such as walking and talking. Over time, continued use of addictive drugs changes your brain — in dramatic, toxic ways at times, more subtly at others, but virtually always in ways that result in compulsive and even uncontrollable drug use. The drug becomes the single most powerful motivator in your life.

Myth You can stop on your own.

It is extremely hard for people addicted to drugs to overcome that addiction and maintain long-term abstinence. Research shows that when long-term drug use actually changes a person’s brain function, it causes them to crave the drug even more, making it increasingly difficult to quit without effective treatment. Intervening and stopping substance abuse early is important, as children become addicted to drugs much faster than adults and risk greater physical, mental and psychological harm. Studies show drug treatment reduces drug use by 40 to 60 percent.

Myth Treatment is a cure.

Different people have different drug abuse-related problems and they respond very differently to similar forms of treatment, even when they’re abusing the same drug. As a result, alcoholics and addicts need an array of treatments and services tailored to address their unique needs.

Myth Treatment should work the first time.

Like many other illnesses, drug addiction typically is a chronic disorder; most people who abuse drugs require longer-term treatment and, in many instances, repeated treatments. For treatment to have an effect, research indicates a minimum of 90 days of treatment for outpatient drug-free programs, and 21 days for short-term inpatient programs. Follow-up supervision and support are essential. In all recovery programs, the best predictor of success is the length of treatment. Patients who are treated for at least a year are more than twice as likely to remain drug free, and a recent study showed adolescents who met or exceeded the minimum treatment time were over one and a half times more likely to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

Myth People who continue to use after treatment are hopeless.

Completing a treatment program is merely the first step in the struggle for recovery that can last a lifetime. Drug addiction is a chronic disorder; occasional relapses do not mean failure.

Myth After treatment, the addict’s life returns to normal. .

Addicts are most vulnerable to drug use during the few months immediately following their release from treatment. Recovery is a long process and frequently requires multiple treatment attempts before complete and consistent sobriety can be achieved. In general, 30 days is enough time to dry out and begin the process of recovery, but in most cases that process needs more nurturing before compete reintegration to society is a safe move. It is for this reason that sober living homes are so important and serve as such an invaluable tool in recovery after treatment.