Posts Tagged drug abuse myth

There’s a lot that most people don’t understand about the struggles of drug addiction. In fact, there are numerous misconceptions that most people have with drug use and treatment. Here are some of them:

Myth 1: There should be no drug relapses after completing a drug rehabilitation program.

Drug addiction is a persistent disease and getting out of rehab is only the first step to recovery. There are many factors that contribute to a relapse for a recovering addict. The best that thing that can be done is to not to give up because recovery usually takes a long time to achieve. Sometimes it even requires multiple treatment measures before absolute sobriety is attained.

Myth 2: One can quit drugs on his own if he truly wants it.

Withdrawal is a dangerous process that often leaves the patient extremely vulnerable. Some people think that they do not need to be treated and that they can stop using when they really want to. The truth is it is extremely unlikely for a person to be able to successfully detoxify by sheer willpower alone. Research has shown us that long-term drug abuse alters a person’s brain to a level that makes it almost impossible for him to abstain from the drugs.

Myth 3: Illegal drugs are more dangerous than those that can be bought in pharmacies.

Not all dangerous and addictive drugs are illegal. There are some over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs which are used by some to get high, like cough syrup, painkillers, weight loss pills, etc. The fact is this — it does not matter if they are obtained over-the-counter or bought under the table; if drugs are abused, then they are dangerous.

Myth 4: One should be at “rock bottom” to need drug rehabilitation.

People tend to think that addicts need to hit rock bottom first before they can start absolute recovery. This is a dangerous way of thought. Drug users are better off if they start fighting the addiction during the early stages.