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1. Addicts are weak, selfish, crazy, bad and/or stupid.
Extensive research shows that addicts are ordinary people who are neither crazy nor insane. They are not bad people who need rehabilitating, nor stupid people that need to go back to school, nor weak or selfish, unable to kick their habit. The fact is that addiction does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, economics or ethnicity. It is a disease of the brain that is treatable.
2. Addicts should be put away instead of treated for their drug use.
It has been proven that addicts have a brain disease causing impairment over the control of their use of drugs.
3. Addicts are so weak that they are addicted to all drugs.
While it is true that some individuals are addicted to more than one drug, the vast majority are not addicted to all drugs.
4. Addicts have no will-power.
It is easy to blame all addiction on every conceivable reason. The truth is that most treatments for addiction, especially alcohol, are based on behavior therapy. This is essentially conversations to convince the addict to stop using and to increase self-control. However, true addiction has captured part of the brain and often requires more than just talk to cure.
5. Alcoholics can kick their habit by just attending AA meetings.
While Alcoholics Anonymous has supported millions of people with alcohol problems through its twelve step program, for many addicts it is a life-long struggle, and does not work for everyone. Relapse is a serious problem, even for individuals who really want to stop drinking.
6. If addiction is a brain problem then it can be cured by psychiatry.
It is true that psychotherapy can correct brain dysfunction, and medications can also work to achieve change in brain function. There are various types of treatment options to successfully treat an individual suffering with addiction.
7. Medications only substitute one addiction for another.
Once an addict has gone through detoxification in a hospital setting, there exist a variety of new medications that can reduce the chance of relapse.
8. Checking into a treatment center for thirty days will end addiction.
For many, the problem of relapse can last a lifetime. While a 30-day rehab program works well for many, addiction is unique to the individual. It often requires treatment specifically tailored to the circumstances of that person, including treatment for accompanying disorders.
This report is not a diagnosis. We hope this information can guide you toward improving your life.
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