It’s important to note that success rates can vary depending on factors such as the severity of the addiction, the individual’s commitment to treatment, and the support system available. However, these statistics demonstrate that treatment can indeed be effective in helping individuals overcome addiction. Relapse can be viewed as an opportunity for growth and learning rather than as a measure of success or failure. It is a chance for individuals to reassess their strategies, identify triggers and underlying issues, myths about addiction and recovery and strengthen their relapse prevention skills.
Substance Abuse Myths vs. Misconceptions About Addictions
Contrary to the misconception that age limits one’s ability to engage in physical activity, almost everyone, regardless alcoholism symptoms of age or health conditions, can participate in some form of exercise. Another common myth about aging is that older adults need less sleep as they age. However, older adults require the same amount of sleep as all adults, which is 7 to 9 hours each night.
About Elevate Addiction Services
Steve Carleton, LCSW, CAS, adds that managing withdrawal effectively is critical to achieving long-term recovery. The experts all agreed that addiction is not something that can be “cured” after rehab—it’s a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. Combining the emotional support of loved ones with professional guidance is the key to success and having a more comprehensive and sustainable recovery. Sean O’Neill, LMFT, emphasizes that recovery is about creating a life filled with hope, dignity, and purpose.
Myth 7: Rehabilitation Doesn’t Help
- Relapse provides an opportunity to learn and strengthen one’s approach to recovery, not a reason to give up.
- In fact, relapse is a common part of the recovery process and often provides helpful insights.
- She also gives her time to Tara Home, an end of life/hospice care home at Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel, Ca.
- Whether or not you are recovering from drugs, changing any habit can be hard.
By giving voice to honest, research-backed information, we can help more people realize they’re not alone and that it’s okay to ask for help. Addiction is a disease, not a reflection of poor choices or a lack of self-discipline. In doing so, we can create a space where recovery feels accessible and hopeful. I’ve seen firsthand how misunderstandings about addiction can really mess with someone’s head. Receive weekly insights to help you and your loved ones on your road to recovery. According to The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of death in the US.
Myth 6: Relapse Means the Fight Is Lost
Many think loved ones will think less of them, it will affect their status at work, or their friends will judge them for their addiction. But this is all minuscule when it comes down to your health and ultimately, the quality of life you are living. Alcohol is acceptable and easily accessible; you could even say it is celebrated in American society. Millions partake in drinking as a social activity, and unfortunately this can be where alcohol addiction starts.
It is crucial to understand that nobody chooses to develop an addiction, just as no one chooses to have cancer. Addiction is a consequence of a combination of factors, including genetics, upbringing, trauma, and other influences. Blaming individuals for their addiction can perpetuate stigma and hinder their path to recovery.
- Another commonly perpetuated myth is that if a person relapses, it’s because they did not try hard enough or they were not committed to sobriety.
- While initial use may be a choice, over time, continued use can make changes in the brain that make it difficult to stop.
- However, older adults require the same amount of sleep as all adults, which is 7 to 9 hours each night.
Leslie has been working with families of clients in the program for 13 years. She has strong communication skills, compassion for others, and a drive to provide the best services we can to each client and their family throughout their experience with Elevate. For the past 9 years, she additionally has been overseeing the detox area, health services, and office of family support. She has implemented a lot of new protocols for the operations of these areas to ensure the clients are receiving the highest quality of care that we are able to provide.
Addiction is a lifetime sentence
As addiction affects millions of people worldwide, it’s crucial to dispel these myths and provide a clearer, more accurate picture of what addiction and recovery truly entail. Substance abuse and addiction impact millions of people worldwide, yet misconceptions about these conditions are rampant, hindering progress in understanding, treatment, and recovery for those affected. There are many people who can use multiple substances and never develop an addiction, while others can use a substance only once and quickly spiral out of control.
These myths can create unnecessary barriers for those considering treatment, leaving them unsure or hesitant to take the first step toward healing. Whenever we hear the words alcoholism, addiction, or alcoholic, we automatically think of AA and the 12 steps. People who don’t know much about sobriety think that if you’re sober you must be a member of AA and spend your nights in church basements drinking coffee. AA is just one of many pathways to recovery, and it is not a requirement for being sober. Some people get sober on their own, and some people use other programs like Refuge recovery, SMART™ recovery, online recovery groups, or other 12-step programs.