Much of what we think we know about drugs, alcohol, and addiction comes from old wives’ tales, stories from our friends, or even marketing from drug and alcohol manufacturers. Learning the myths about drugs can help you realize that you’re ready for a drug addiction treatment program.
If you want to find a better alternative to life on drugs, contact A Better State at 781.412.1488 to connect with our professional addiction team and start your path to recovery today.
Myth: Moderate Drinking is Good for Your Health
“Healthy drinking” is one of the most prolific myths about addiction, and wine-swilling morning hosts will regularly point to scientific evidence that seems to justify their behavior.
The fact is that any amount of alcohol is harmful to your health: alcohol metabolizes into acetaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and is extremely hard on the liver. So why is this myth so prevalent?
One of the elementary lessons from statistics is that correlation doesn’t equal causation. Moderate drinkers tend to have better overall health than non-drinkers, but alcohol is not the reason for this association. People who abstain from alcohol tend to be in worse health in the first place, for several reasons:
- Pre-existing medical conditions that lead them to avoid alcohol
- Previous issues with addiction
- Taking prescription medications that can’t be taken with alcohol
Abstainers are a unique class of people who generally have worse overall health than the average population, meaning there is a different reason for moderate drinkers’ marginally better health.
Myth: Marijuana Is Not Addictive
This idea is one of the myths about drugs that fail to comprehend the nature of addiction. While people who use marijuana may not experience the same withdrawal or social consequences from their drug use as other drug users, any substance can be addictive if used for the wrong reasons.
Addiction is a disorder of the brain, not the body — and when people continue using despite consequences, can’t stop on their own, or give up other interests to pursue drug use, they cross the line into addiction.
Myth: Addiction Is a Moral Failing
Several scientific studies have proven that addiction is a brain disease that diminishes your ability to stop using at will. Addiction can happen to anyone and is extremely difficult to break free from without the help of addiction treatment services.
People suffering from addiction have a disease — and compassion, not judgment, is the key ingredient in helping people recover.
Myth: Prescription Drugs Are Safer than Illicit Drugs
Drugs such as OxyContin or Xanax can be just as dangerous as heroin or methamphetamines. Despite being prescribed by a doctor, these drugs are highly addictive, can lead to overdose, and result in severe withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly.
In addition, buying prescription drugs off the street could purchase “pressed pills,” illicit drugs that are designed to appear as if they came from a pharmacy.
Myth: You Need to Hit Rock-Bottom Before You Can Achieve Recovery
This notion is one of the myths about addiction that persists in the recovery community and the general public. Anyone can recover from their substance use disorder, no matter how severe or mild their problems are. Your rock bottom isn’t a specified point of disaster; it’s just when you decide to stop digging.
Discover the Path to Recovery at A Better State
When you’re ready to take action to stop your addiction in its tracks, call the treatment professionals from A Better State at 781.412.1488. Our experienced team can show you the path to recovery, inspire hope for the future, and help you to overcome your substance use disorder. Don’t delay — your new life in recovery is just a phone call away.
