Instead of focusing on convincing your loved one to admit their addiction, direct your attention toward fostering a better life for them. ~ Carrie Wilkens, Ph.D.
Are you worried about your child’s use of drugs or alcohol?
Would gaining more insights into addiction benefit you?
The scientific exploration of addiction is a relatively recent development. Many beliefs surrounding substance use are not grounded in research. Thus, it is understandable that misconceptions about addiction are widespread.
Family members often find themselves puzzled as to why a loved one, who faces serious consequences from substance use, refuses to seek help. Witnessing the impacts of substance abuse can be incredibly painful and challenging for parents.
It’s undeniable: addiction brings about distress, frustration, anger, and fear for families. However, accumulating knowledge about addiction can help alleviate feelings of helplessness.
By comprehending the realities of addiction, you can better support your child in a constructive manner, while also reducing your own stress and anxiety. If you’re worried about someone you care about, understanding addiction is crucial.
What is addiction?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes addiction as a “compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance, marked by tolerance and distinct physiological symptoms when withdrawal occurs.”
This definition primarily addresses substance addiction and does not include other forms such as gambling, food, or sex addictions. However, it serves as a starting point for discussing drug and alcohol dependency.
No one is immune to addiction; regardless of intelligence or athletic talent, teens and young adults are at risk once they start using substances. The misuse of drugs or alcohol often signals a serious call for assistance. Resorting to shame or embarrassment only exacerbates the issue.
Substance use frequently starts during adolescence, often through parties with peers or under pressure to belong. It might also arise from a legitimate prescription for pain relief, which can lead to an increased dependency on these medications. Eventually, individuals may find prescription drugs less accessible and turn to more affordable options like heroin to sustain their daily use.
Our culture encourages prescription medication and alcohol consumption, yet simultaneously stigmatizes those grappling with addiction. Frequently, individuals with substance use problems are viewed as lazy, weak, or morally deficient.
How can change occur?
Labeling someone as an “addict” often brings shame and negative stereotypes, creating associations with being dishonest, irresponsible, dangerous, or in denial about their addiction.
Moreover, the traditional belief that the only solution to addiction is total abstinence can deter young individuals from seeking help for their substance use.
We now recognize that there is no universal solution for addiction. Individuals can find diverse paths to recovery or improve their lives in different ways. Positive transformations can take many forms.
Risk factors for addiction can include early substance use, genetics, mental health issues, environmental influences, and childhood trauma. The reasons behind a person’s decision to use drugs or alcohol can be intricate and varied.
Approaching the situation with understanding, compassion, kindness, and evidence-based practices can significantly enhance your chances of inspiring a loved one to pursue change.
Here are ten myths and facts about addiction:
MYTH 1: People with addiction must hit rock bottom before they will accept help.
FACT: This is incorrect. Evidence shows that intervening early in the addiction process improves chances for recovery. “The earlier in the addiction process that you can intervene and get someone help, the more they have to live for. The more they have to get better for.” – Dr. Kathleen Brady, Medical University of South Carolina.
MYTH 2: Addiction is strictly a willpower problem. People can just stop if they truly want to.
FACT: Few individuals genuinely desire drug or alcohol treatment. Initially, a person may use drugs occasionally by choice, but over time, they can become compulsive users. Sustained drug use alters brain chemistry, making it increasingly difficult to stop.
MYTH 3: People with substance use disorders are bad, crazy, or stupid. They are just missing character qualities.
FACT: Addiction is a complex brain disease. Current research confirms that people struggling with addiction are not inherently bad or lacking intelligence; they suffer from a medical condition impacting their brain function.
MYTH 4: Punishment is the answer, not treatment, for drug use.
FACT: Scientific findings reveal that addiction is a brain disease leading to loss of control over substance use. Individuals require treatment that addresses their altered brain chemistry, allowing them to manage triggers and reintegrate without dependence on substances. Criminal behavior can often stem from the desperation to support their addiction.
MYTH 5: People can stop using drugs if they really want to; they don’t need treatment.
FACT: For those struggling with drug addiction, achieving and maintaining long-term abstinence is extremely challenging. Research indicates that prolonged substance use changes brain function, heightening cravings and complicating efforts to quit.
MYTH 6: Treatment isn’t effective.
FACT: Effective treatment exists. Research indicates that drug treatment can lower substance use by 40 to 60 percent, and it has a considerable positive impact on criminal activities both during and after treatment. Furthermore, it helps minimize the chances of HIV transmission and boosts job prospects, with improvements of up to 40 percent for those who complete treatment.
MYTH 7: Individuals must desire treatment for it to be successful.
FACT: Even those compelled to seek treatment can achieve recovery. There are various circumstances under which someone may be mandated to a treatment program—this can happen through employment pressures, relationship threats, or court orders. Studies reveal that the recovery outcomes for individuals who are required to undergo treatment can be comparable to those who enter voluntarily.
Dr. Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, expressed that she once held the belief that only motivated individuals could recover, but she now understands that mandated treatment can lead to recovery as well.
MYTH 8: Those who relapse post-treatment are lost causes.
FACT: Relapse is part of addiction—a persistent condition, and it does not signify complete failure. Factors like workplace stress, family issues, or reminders of past drug use can lead to a relapse. Individuals fresh into recovery are particularly susceptible to substance use during the initial months following their treatment.
MYTH 9: Addiction is just a behavioral issue since it’s treated behaviorally.
FACT: Addiction is primarily a brain condition that can be managed by altering brain functions through multiple treatment avenues. Recent brain scans indicate that behavioral therapies, counseling, and medications can all modify brain functions. New drugs have been introduced to help manage the cravings for addictive substances, decreasing the risk of relapse and complementing existing treatments.
MYTH 10: People can just stop using/alcohol by simply attending twelve-step meetings or other support, indicating they don’t have a brain disease.
FACT: Participating in a twelve-step program often requires long-term dedication. These meetings may not be effective for everyone, even for those eager to stop abusing substances. Some individuals may need a more structured approach in their personal and professional lives. Research indicates that a supportive community with shared experiences is crucial for recovery.
*Adapted from Myths of Addiction by Carlton K. Erickson, Ph.D., University of Texas Addiction Science, SAMHSA, NIDA, and Join Together, Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, 2006 – SOURCES (unless otherwise cited): Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide. (October 1999). National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Health; Alan I. Leshner, Ph.D., former Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2001)
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