Myths about drugs, alcohol and other addictions

When a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol, he is suffering from a disease. However, people are still unable to understand some basic facts about addiction. Read about some of the myths associated with it. If a person is addicted to something, what does it mean? Most dictionaries define addiction as a recurring compulsive feeling to engage in a specific activity. This is in spite of the activity having harmful effects on the individuals physical and mental health, as well as social life. Most people think that addiction is restricted only to drugs and alcohol. However, a person may also display addictive tendencies with regard to behaviours such as overeating or gambling. Addiction has now been classified as a disease. However, many people still do not understand basic facts related to addiction. Here are some of the common myths associated with addiction and the facts explaining why they are wrong. In this articleAddiction is a bad habitSufferers are lazy or belong to a certain classIf an addict has willpower, he can stop himselfIf there is a relapse, then the treatment is ineffectiveOnce a person finishes treatment, he can be trusted to use the addictive substance responsibly Addiction is a bad habit Many people believe that addiction occurs due to an individuals weakness or over indulgence. The fact is that addiction is a life-threatening condition and is of a chronic nature. In this sense, it is no different from diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Addiction may be caused due to a variety of factors. These factors may be genetic, behavioural, or in response to social situations. Addictions may also develop in response to medication, which causes biochemical changes in the brain. Sufferers are lazy or belong to a certain class This myth largely propagates that people who are addicted are generally stupid, lazy, or mentally unstable. The second part of the myth is an assumption that addicts are usually part of the lower strata of society. The truth is thataddiction does not distinguish between age, sex, religion, class, and any other parameters. It can strike any person at any time. If an addict has willpower, he can stop himself This myth is an erroneous assumption that people cannot overcome addiction simply because they do not want to. Addiction is not related to willpower. Countless people have suffered relapses in spite of having a firm resolve to give up their addictive behaviour. The reason behind this is that addiction almost always leads to physical, mental, and emotional dependency. An addict needs to gradually reduce his consumption or interaction with an abusive substance, to be able to successfully overcome his urges. He also requires support from his family, friends, and peers. Merely having a strong willpower is not enough. If there is a relapse, then the treatment is ineffective The treatment plan for conquering addiction is similar to most medical treatments. It does not guarantee that recovery is going to last for the individuals entire lifetime. This is seen even in cancer. Radiation treatment does not guarantee that the individual will remain cancer-free. However, this does not mean that the treatment is abandoned. In the case of addiction, a relapse can be made part of the recovery process. Thus, even if an individual relapses, he can still continue his recovery treatment. Many addicts can never remain completely sober. However, if they continue with their treatment, it is likely that the sustained treatment can reduce the frequency of the relapses. Once a person finishes treatment, he can be trusted to use the addictive substance responsibly The possibility of suffering a relapse remains a constant threat throughout an addicts lifetime. Since addiction is a chronic problem, it can often reappear at any time. This does not depend on the period of abstinence or the substance being abused. Addicts often find themselves beset by temptation, throughout their lifetime. It can happen even in seemingly innocent situations. For example, an alcoholic will always be tempted to have just one drink, when he is at a party. Addicts wrestle with their own demons throughout their lives. Even after treatment, they have to constantly deal with their addictions. Addiction is no longer shameful. It has now been classified as a chronic condition. There is hope that one day, a cure may be developed for thisdisease . Treatment options are constantly being improved. New treatments are also being developed to enable recovering addicts to achieve their goals better.

When a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol, he is suffering from a disease. However, people are still unable to understand some basic facts about addiction. Read about some of the myths associated with it.

If a person is addicted to something, what does it mean? Most dictionaries define addiction as a recurring compulsive feeling to engage in a specific activity. This is in spite of the activity having harmful effects on the individual's physical and mental health, as well as social life. Most people think that addiction is restricted only to drugs and alcohol. However, a person may also display addictive tendencies with regard to behaviours such as overeating or gambling. Addiction has now been classified as a disease. However, many people still do not understand basic facts related to addiction. Here are some of the common myths associated with addiction and the facts explaining why they are wrong.

Addiction is a bad habit

Many people believe that addiction occurs due to an individual's weakness or over indulgence. The fact is that addiction is a life-threatening condition and is of a chronic nature. In this sense, it is no different from diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Addiction may be caused due to a variety of factors. These factors may be genetic, behavioural, or in response to social situations. Addictions may also develop in response to medication, which causes biochemical changes in the brain.

Sufferers are lazy or belong to a certain class

This myth largely propagates that people who are addicted are generally stupid, lazy, or mentally unstable. The second part of the myth is an assumption that addicts are usually part of the lower strata of society. The truth is thataddiction does not distinguish between age, sex, religion, class, and any other parameters. It can strike any person at any time.

If an addict has willpower, he can stop himself

This myth is an erroneous assumption that people cannot overcome addiction simply because they do not want to. Addiction is not related to willpower. Countless people have suffered relapses in spite of having a firm resolve to give up their addictive behaviour. The reason behind this is that addiction almost always leads to physical, mental, and emotional dependency. An addict needs to gradually reduce his consumption or interaction with an abusive substance, to be able to successfully overcome his urges. He also requires support from his family, friends, and peers. Merely having a strong willpower is not enough.

If there is a relapse, then the treatment is ineffective

The treatment plan for conquering addiction is similar to most medical treatments. It does not guarantee that recovery is going to last for the individual's entire lifetime. This is seen even in cancer. Radiation treatment does not guarantee that the individual will remain cancer-free. However, this does not mean that the treatment is abandoned. In the case of addiction, a relapse can be made part of the recovery process. Thus, even if an individual relapses, he can still continue his recovery treatment. Many addicts can never remain completely sober. However, if they continue with their treatment, it is likely that the sustained treatment can reduce the frequency of the relapses.

Once a person finishes treatment, he can be trusted to use the addictive substance responsibly

The possibility of suffering a relapse remains a constant threat throughout an addict's lifetime. Since addiction is a chronic problem, it can often reappear at any time. This does not depend on the period of abstinence or the substance being abused. Addicts often find themselves beset by temptation, throughout their lifetime. It can happen even in seemingly innocent situations. For example, an alcoholic will always be tempted to have just one drink, when he is at a party. Addicts wrestle with their own demons throughout their lives. Even after treatment, they have to constantly deal with their addictions. Addiction is no longer shameful. It has now been classified as a chronic condition. There is hope that one day, a cure may be developed for thisdisease . Treatment options are constantly being improved. New treatments are also being developed to enable recovering addicts to achieve their goals better.