In a recent blog post, we took a look at some untrue statements and ideas about substance use disorders and recovery. Those three fictions included:
- You don’t need treatment unless you hit ‘rock bottom’
- Alcohol is not nearly as problematic as other drugs
- Treatment is a ‘one and done’ proposition
To reiterate, none of those things is true.
It would be wonderful if those were the only three fictions running around in the world when it comes to substance use disorders. But the truth is there are plenty more falsehoods to address. Let’s tackle a few more.
FICTION: Legal drugs are always safe drugs.
In a sense, this is a variation on the myth we addressed about alcohol and whether it is as problematic as other substances. After all, alcohol is legal, and we have demonstrated that it can be a problem for many, many people.
Still, we wanted to include this fiction because alcohol is far from the only legal substance that can cause problems. For example, marijuana has become legal in a number of states, but that does not change the fact that it can be a dangerous substance for some users.
It is also imperative to note that prescription drugs can turn dangerous in many cases. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics reports that 16 million people over the age of 12 in the United States misuse prescription drugs in a year. Of those 16 million people, two million have developed a substance use disorder centered on a drug prescribed by their physician. That is why it is so important that you always follow your doctor or pharmacist’s instructions when taking prescribed medications.
FICTION: Someone who is clearly succeeding must not have a substance use disorder.
We tend to admire people who are very successful, whether at work, in school, in sports, or in most any other area of life. And we are equally likely to assume that success means that the person is riding high—but certainly not getting high.
But that is not necessarily true. Some people can remain high achievers—at least for a while—even if they have developed a substance use disorder. Indeed, some of these people might convince themselves that they are experiencing success because they are using drugs or alcohol rather than in spite of that fact.
There is an excellent chance that a person who is finding success in life while taking drugs or drinking to excess is in denial about the developing problem. All too often, however, drug or alcohol use catches up to a person, and things start to fall apart—often in spectacularly horrific ways. That is why it is so important to be honest with yourself if you suspect you have a drug or alcohol problem. Getting help sooner rather than later makes it less likely that all you have worked for will crumble around you.
FICTION: People choose to become addicted. It’s a matter of character or faith or willpower.
Misinformation does not get much more dangerous than this. Far too many people believe—and are willing to tell others—that addiction to drugs or alcohol is a sign of a character defect, a lack of faith, or a failure of willpower. These folks argue, wholly incorrectly, that a person should be able to quit using substances through force of will—and if they cannot, it indicates that they are a bad person.
We want to be exceptionally clear here: That idea is wrong. Completely wrong.
A substance use disorder is a chronic brain disease that can be treated but not cured. Misuse of alcohol or drugs actually changes a person’s brain chemistry in ways that make it devilishly difficult to give up the substances in question. In fact, the rigors of withdrawal—including incredibly intense cravings—tend to send a person trying to quit on their own right back to the drugs. The body and brain simply won’t accept a change.
Thanks to something called neuroplasticity, however, new pathways in the brain can lead to better paths for your life. The way to get that process started is to get yourself into treatment so that you can reclaim your sobriety and learn how to maintain it over time.
It’s a Fact: We Offer Personalized and Effective Treatment
Wooded Glen Recovery Center, which is located in Henryville, Indiana, provides medically supervised detoxification to see you through the challenges of withdrawal. That is followed by a therapeutic rehab program that all includes treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more. And then we provided a continuum of care to ensure you feel supported and confident as your recovery journey gets underway.
When you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, it can be easy to give into the fictional idea that nothing can be done to help you. Wooded Glen Recovery Center is a recognized leader in helping people regain and maintain their sobriety. That’s no fiction. That’s a fact.