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13 Common Addiction Myths

Myths about addiction can make it harder for people to get the treatment they need. This page shares 13 common myths and facts about addiction so you can make more informed decisions about your health or the health of a loved one. 

1. Myth: Addiction Is a Choice

Fact: Addiction is a disease that makes it difficult for a person to control their substance use.1 

While the initial use is a choice, continued use changes the brain.1 Parts of the brain altered include those involved in functions such as behavior and judgment.1 This is what leads to compulsive use and lack of control over use.1 While addiction is a disease, like other diseases, it is treatable.2

2. Myth: People with an Addiction Could Stop if They Wanted to

Fact: The compulsive and uncontrollable use of substances is central to addiction.1

This is because addiction alters brain chemistry and these brain changes can remain long after the person stops using substances.1 Changes that affect behavior and judgment make it extremely difficult to quit without proper treatment and support.2

3. Myth: Addiction Only Affects Certain Types of People

Fact: Anyone can be at risk for addiction regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, or background.3

Further, no racial or ethnic group is immune to addiction either; it exists among White, Asian, Hispanic, Black, Native American/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations.4

4. Myth: People with Addiction Are Bad or Morally Flawed

Fact: Addiction has a biological basis; substances make changes to the brain that take significant work and treatment to overcome.5

In addition, genetic predisposition is a significant risk factor for developing addiction.6

5. Myth: Prescription Drugs Are Safer than Illicit Drugs

Fact: Prescription drugs can be addictive.7

Misuse of prescription medication involves taking the medication in a way other than it was prescribed, taking someone else’s prescription medication, or taking the medication to become intoxicated.7 The three types of prescription medications that are often misused include opioids prescribed for pain, depressants used to treat anxiety, and stimulants used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).7

6. Myth: Stigma Doesn’t Affect People with an Addiction

Fact: There is stigma associated with addiction.8

Stigma is the subtle or overt discrimination of people dealing with addiction.8 It can come from the misconceptions that people with addiction are morally flawed and dangerous.8

Examples of stigmatizing language are “addict,” “former addict,” and “habit.”8 Instead, language can be used to show that a person with addiction is dealing with an illness, like “person with substance use disorder,” “person in recovery,” and “drug addiction.”8

7. Myth: Addiction Can’t Be Treated

Fact: Addiction is treatable and the right treatment can be very effective.2 

Most people who remain in treatment reduce their substance use and improve their overall functioning.2 Treatment includes different levels of care depending on the severity of the person’s addiction and their specific needs.2

8. Myth: Addiction Treatment Should Be One-Size-Fits-All

Fact: Effective treatment is tailored to the person’s unique needs.2 

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states that treatment should be individualized, which means it needs to attend to all of the person’s needs, not just their substance use. Treatment plans should take into account the type of drug and the person’s attributes, and treatment plans should be adjusted as a person’s needs change.2

9. Myth: Detox Is Enough to Recover

Fact: Detox is often not enough to recover because it does not address the underlying causes of addiction.9

Detox serves to manage withdrawal and prevent life-threatening complications that could come with it to prepare the person for treatment.9 Treatment, on the other hand, is the combination of therapeutic services such as psychotherapy, medication, and medical treatment, that occur on an ongoing basis to promote recovery.9

10. Myth: Addiction Medications Don’t Help

Fact: Medications are often a central part of effective addiction treatment; they can help to reduce cravings and, in turn, help people remain in treatment.10 

For instance, a common medication for alcohol addiction is naltrexone, and it is most effective for those who engage in treatment.10 Methadone and buprenorphine, along with naltrexone, are used to treat opioid addiction.10 These medications block the euphoric effects of opioids and reduce cravings.10

11. Myth: Behavioral Therapy Isn’t Effective in Treating Addiction

Fact: Behavioral therapies can help treat addiction because they teach people to develop coping skills and change their thinking and behavior patterns related to substance use.11

What’s more, they can address concerns associated with drug use like low self-worth, depression, and anxiety.12 Trauma is can also be related to substance use, such as for Veterans who served in combat.13

A commonly used evidence-based, therapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps the person recognize and cope with situations or triggers that are likely to lead to drug use.11 Another therapy that is especially effective in reducing drug use is contingency management (CM).11 CM uses rewards to positively reinforce certain behaviors like remaining drug-free and participating in treatment.11

12. Myth: Relapse Means Treatment Has Failed.

Fact: Relapse does not mean that treatment has failed; addiction is a chronic and remitting disease, like cancer, which means that relapse can be a common part of the recovery journey.11

Recovery often involves multiple treatment episodes.2 What’s more, multiple treatment courses can have a cumulative effect and further reduce the risk for relapse in the future.14

13. Myth: Once Someone Recovers, They’re Cured for Life.

Fact: Addiction is not something that can be cured but rather, managed, like other conditions such as diabetes.11

Because addiction is chronic and remitting, aftercare is crucial to help prevent relapse and remaining in recovery.2 Examples of aftercare following rehab include outpatient individual counseling and 12-Step group participation; they help the person develop coping skills and maintain abstinence.2

How to Help Someone Struggling with Addiction

Misconceptions about addiction perpetuate the stigma and keep people from seeking treatment, but there are steps you can take to help a loved one struggling. First, learning about the nature of addiction can help you understand the person’s struggle and how to approach them.15

When talking with a loved one about their addiction, it’s important to:15

  • Approach the person while they are sober.
  • Be direct and fact-based by saying something like, “I’m worried about you because you have missed family obligations times this month.”
  • Be empathic and nonjudgmental to encourage open communication.

You can show support by:15

  • Initiating quality time with them that does not involve drugs or alcohol.
  • Encourage counseling or attending a 12-step group meeting.
  • Offering logistical help like driving them to appointments or attending appointments or meetings with them for moral support.
  • Remembering that recovery is an ongoing process that may have setbacks.
  • Offering support without enabling substance use.

It’s important to engage in self-care because caring for someone with addiction is stressful and can involve experiencing many different types of emotions.15 Taking care of one’s own physical and mental health can make it easier to support a loved one. It can also be helpful to reach out to family or friends or attend a support group for friends and family of people with addiction.15

While helping a loved one enter treatment, it can also be helpful to know the types of rehab programs available. Different levels of treatment exist depending on the person’s needs. The one most suited for someone depends on factors such as the severity of the addiction and if co-occurring disorders are present. Co-occurring disorders are those that exist along with addiction, such as anxiety or mood disorders.

Start Your Recovery

Recovery from addiction is possible. Please call AAC at . We are here to answer your questions, locate suitable rehab programs, and verify health insurance coverage for rehab. It’s never too late to seek treatment. Please call us today—we are here 24/7 and happy to help.

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