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