Drug Addiction Myths And Facts

It is difficult to deal with drug addiction in your personal life, either your own drug abuse or those of someone you care about. How do you know what to do next? Unless an individual has lived through a substance abuse problem, it is hard to understand the scope and damaging effects that addiction can cause.  There are a number of popular myths about drug addiction that many of us take as fact, simply because we’ve never been faced with the truth before. To better understand what drug addiction is, and what it is not, let’s take a look at some of the most popular myths concerning drug addiction.

Myths About Drug Addiction

MYTH: There Is Only One Way To Get Sober When Dealing With Drug Addiction.

FACT: There are, in fact, numerous approaches to tackling drug and alcohol addiction, and everyone requires a different method of treatment. Some people may respond differently to treatment, and as a result, they require a plan that is carefully tailored to their specific needs. While there are many forms of treatment out there, the common end goal is always long-term sobriety. As well, addiction is a chronic disease, which means it’s a long-lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured. Treatment can be the first step toward wellness, but it’s just the very beginning. Many people need more than one treatment visit to get on a stable path to wellness. More importantly, staying well requires a lifelong commitment to personally managing the disease.

MYTH: If someone just uses willpower, they should be able to stop.

FACT: For people who are vulnerable to addiction, substance use can lead to profound changes in the brain. These changes hijack the natural “reward pathway” of the brain. In nature, rewards usually only come with effort and after a delay. But addictive substances shortcut this process and flood the brain with chemicals that signal pleasure. The brain sends signals of powerful and intense cravings, which are accompanied by a compulsion to use. These brain changes make it extremely difficult to quit and often a treatment program is required.

When the disease takes hold, these changes in the brain erode a person’s self-control and ability to make good decisions. While sending highly intense impulses to take drugs. These are the same circuits linked to survival, driving powerful urges no different from those driving the need to eat or drink water. 

These overwhelming impulses help explain the compulsive and often baffling behavior around addiction. 
People will keep using it even when terrible things happen to them. Many people think that there’s only one path for addiction treatment, but this isn’t the case. 

MYTH: Addiction only happens to certain kinds of people.

FACT:: Addiction can happen to anyone, no matter their race, upbringing, personality type, or grade point average. There are genetic, social, and psychological risk factors that can put some people at greater risk—but addiction has nothing to do with a person’s character. While certain genders, ages or socio-economic groups may experience higher levels of substance abuse than others, make no mistake: substance abuse and addiction are societal issue. From urban centers to the suburbs to rural America, no one is exempt from the impact of substance abuse. Our elderly, our children — anyone who fills a prescription — the potential for abuse exists.

MYTH: Addiction medications are just replacing one addiction with another.

FACT: Medications for addiction treatment (MAT), especially for opioid use disorder, have been proven to save lives and substantially improve recovery rates. For people in treatment for substance use disorders, medications ease withdrawal symptoms to give people the space they need to recover and prevent overdoses. Medications don’t create a high or cause impairment—they allow patients to work, drive, care for their families, and live full lives.

MYTH: There is only one way to get sober when dealing with drug addiction.

FACT: There are, in fact, numerous approaches to tackling drug and alcohol addiction, and everyone requires a different method of treatment. Some people may respond differently to treatment, and as a result, they require a plan that is carefully tailored to their specific needs. While there are many forms of treatment out there, the common end goal is always long-term sobriety. As well, addiction is a chronic disease, which means it’s a long-lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured. Treatment can be the first step toward wellness, but it’s just the very beginning. Many people need more than one treatment visit to get on a stable path to wellness. More importantly, staying well requires a lifelong commitment to personally managing the disease.

MYTH: The fact that people relapse shows that treatment doesn’t work.

FACT: Relapse rates for addiction are similar to those of other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. Like these other chronic diseases, addiction often requires continued management that addresses both biological and behavioral components. Relapse can signal a need for treatment readjustment or reinstatement. New research has shown that it is possible for the brain to recover from the effects of substance use disorders. While all chronic diseases have their challenges, people who are in recovery from substance use disorders can live full lives and make rich contributions in society.

Do You Think You Might Have A Problem With Drug Addiction and Abuse? 

Is it possible that your recreational use of drugs has grown into an addiction?  Ask yourself these questions and give yourself the benefit of honest answers. According to the diagnostic characteristics for drug addiction, if even one of these characteristics applies to you, you could have a serious medical condition. If you are concerned that you have a problem, please contact us so we can guide you to a program that can help you.

• Do you choose to use drugs over spending time with your family or meeting your responsibilities for school or work?
• Do you use drugs even in dangerous situations, such as when driving a car?
• Have you ever been arrested because of your drug use but you still continue to use drugs?
• Do you continue to use drugs even though your social and family relationships are suffering? Does your drug use cause family fights and other interpersonal problems?

Why Choose Little Creek Lodge for Your Recovery?

We treat addiction as a chronic disease and strive for continuity of care. Our facility is private and safe, and we are licensed by the state of Pennsylvania. Each Resident is evaluated based on his needs, goals, and place in the recovery process, and a comprehensive treatment plan is developed for the individual. This treatment plan is monitored for completion in a timely manner and updated as needed. We invite to you read more about us, our mission, our philosophy, and our purpose.

Little Creek Lodge was the first of its kind on the East Coast to mix clinical care with recreational therapies. We are a small family-owned and operated drug and alcohol treatment center that gives personal attention to each and every resident. Little Creek is dedicated to family education from the day of entry to years after completion. We pride ourselves on our alumni and the sober community that we developed here in Northeast PA. Our alumni have a firm commitment to a sober lifestyle and giving back to the current residents. Whether through sponsorship, employment assistance, or housing. Even our parents have stuck together and attended family groups/meetings in their hometown areas.

Managing Drug Addiction with Little Creek 

Many people who have never struggled with addiction, do not understand the ins and outs of this problem. A shockingly low number of Americans who need addiction treatment actually receive it. Only 2.5 million people out of 22.7 million. When you’re ready for the next step, we’ll be there to take it with you

We want men to feel empowered and to make strong, healthy choices for their future. At Little Creek Lodge, we help our residents do just that. To learn more about our services, or to speak with an experienced addiction and recovery professional, please call 570-630-9354, or fill out our contact form.