Even in today's society, many people have misconceptions about recovery. Here are some common myths to be aware of:

1. Addiction is a choice.

We must remember that each individual in recovery or suffering from addiction starts consuming drugs or pills for different reasons. Some even start taking them for legitimate medical conditions prescribed by a doctor. After a continuation of the consumptions of pills or drugs, their agency decreases and their need for the substance increases. Soon they will use the substance just to feel ‘normal’.

 

2. I put down my cigarettes one day and never picked them up again, so my loved one should be able to do the same with the drugs.

Wouldn’t that be nice to so easily put away something your body and mind crave? I can’t put down my carton of ice cream and neither can some addicts put down a mind-altering addictive drug. The minority of those who consume drugs, alcohol and cigarettes can easily stop and never touch them again. The minority.

 

3. Drug addicts are selfish people that care only about themselves.

Nothing could be farther from the truth because those individuals have no intention of hurting others. Drug use creates damages and alterations to the brain ‘that disrupt the normal production and activity of neurotransmitters in the brain and in some cases will change the structure of the brain and the thought processes.’

 

4. Sobriety and recovery are reached after graduating from a treatment center.

Graduation from treatment doesn’t mean a full recovery. Not only do addicts have to worry about staying sober, but they must completely change their lifestyle and learn new things. They still have to fight their addiction every day and that is a longer road than just six to twelve weeks.

 

5. Once an addict creates a normal life with a family and a job they will no longer need to use drugs.

We need to remember that using drugs is a constant battle for an addict; one in which they need to avoid in many different situations. Access to money, stress, certain people, etc. can become triggers to those who are addicted to drugs. Whether freshly sober or ten years later this battle rages on in varying degrees.

 

Avoiding misconceptions about recovery can help those in recovery as well as the people around them to respond with love and compassion. Knowledge can help us to recovery and heal.