Common myths about addiction

I am amazed at the amount of misinformation regarding addiction. My purpose in writing this article is to share some of the myths I have heard and accurately state the facts about this dreadful condition.

Myth 1: Addicts can stop using drugs or drinking alcohol anytime if they want.

Fact: This is an over simplification of the problem. If this were true, addicts wouldn’t need any treatment.

Myth 2: Addicts don’t try to stop using drugs or drinking alcohol.

Fact: Many addicts agonize because they don’t have the ability to resist the urge to use drugs or drink alcohol. Individuals addicted to methamphetamine and alcohol have a physical and psychological addiction. Methamphetamine use causes serious brain damage. Long- term, heavy methamphetamine use depletes dopamine and disrupts normal brain function. In fact, most that are severely addicted cannot stop using. Alcohol affects every cell in the body. Withdrawal can lead to delirium tremors. This is the result of every cell in the body “screaming” for relief. Alcoholics are physically and psychologically ill. A relative who was an alcoholic died with cirrhosis. He tried everything possible, except long- term treatment, to stop drinking but could not overcome his addiction.

Myth 3: Addicts can quit without support or treatment.

Fact: If an individual can stop using drugs or drinking without any help, that individual does not have a serious addiction problem. Addicts have to experience a crisis or receive help from another person before they will address their addiction. Most who supposedly quit without treatment ultimately resume using drugs or drinking alcohol. Many receiving short- term treatment relapse.

Myth 4: Forced treatment doesn’t work. Addicts have to decide to recover and overcome their addiction.

Fact: Studies show that a larger percentage of addicts forced into long- term treatment cease using drugs and stay clean longer than those that enter treatment voluntarily. This is true because long- terms treatment gives the brain time to heal. Only then can addicts make the decision to stop using drugs and drinking alcohol. Only a small percentage of methamphetamine addicts enter treatment voluntarily and an even smaller number choose to remain in treatment.

Myth 5: There is no point in forcing an addict to enter treatment until he or she desires to get well.

Fact: When addicts remain alcohol and drug free for two years their brains return to a normal state provided there is no irreparable damage. Only then do addicts have the desire and the ability to make the decision to remain alcohol and drug free.

Myth 6: Marijuana isn’t an addictive drug.

Fact: This has been disproven by the increase of the number of adolescents in treatment for marijuana addiction. Some studies indicate that one out of six adolescents that begin smoking marijuana in their early teens become addicted. Myth 7: Voluntary admissions work best. Fact: Most voluntary admissions don’t work because addicts entering voluntarily often demand to set the rules, choose the type of treatment and their length of stay. Addicts that fail to change their “playmates and playgrounds” are destined to return to the drug scene.

I have known addicts that entered more than a dozen short- term treatment programs. The length of stay in these facilities ranged from three days to two months. Most were seeking a “quick fix.” Regardless of what advertisements say, there is no “quick fix” for addiction. John L Bledsoe, PhD, DMin, Co- Occurring Disorders Professional