Dispel the myths about addiction treatment
Communities across Virginia continue to feel the impacts of the addiction epidemic. In 2021, more than 2,600 Virginians lost their lives to drug overdoses — a nearly 15% increase from the year prior — and many more continue to live in active addiction. Approximately three-quarters of all fatal overdoses in 2021 were related to fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.
Unfortunately, people with substance use disorders do not always get the help they need. While there are many things that might discourage or prevent someone from seeking help, chief among them are persistent myths and negative stigma around treatment and the recovery process. Many wonder what treatment is really like, how it works, and whether it is right for them.
Treatment today not only looks different than it did in the past, it’s also more effective. Preconceived notions about treatment are often rooted in television shows, books and movies that just don’t reflect the reality of going to a treatment facility in 2023.
It’s important that we educate Virginians on the options available to them and assure them that treatment is a worthwhile pursuit.
Myth No. 1: Treatment doesn’t work, and recovery from a substance use disorder isn’t possible.
You may not know it from reading the headlines, but recovery from a substance use problem is possible — and happens quite often. Addiction is a lifelong, biological disease that requires ongoing care, but treatment has proven effective in helping people manage and overcome SUD.
A 2021 study published by Recovery Research Institute found that more than tens of millions of people report they have recovered from a substance use problem. That number will continue to rise if we can get more people the help they need.
A growing body of research confirms that medication-assisted treatment (MAT) improves recovery outcomes and reduces a person’s risk of relapse. FDA-approved medications to treat opioid use disorder have been shown to reduce opioid cravings, reduce illicit opioid drug use, reduce the risk of opioid overdose, and increase rates of treatment retention. A peer-reviewed study published in 2021 also found that MAT is an important intervention for people with opioid dependence, with the capacity to reduce multiple causes of death.
Myth No. 2: I can’t afford treatment, or I’ll have to wait. It’s not covered, or I’ll have to be referred.
Medicaid expansion has given more Virginians access to health plans that cover the cost of treatment. Virginians seeking treatment for substance use disorder today have access to more options than ever — and once they decide to get help, there are programs that can get them in without delay.
Myth No. 3: Going to treatment means being stuck in one place and isolated from your loved ones.
Today, people have access to a variety of programs to meet their needs: residential/ inpatient, outpatient, telehealth. Outpatient programs like the ones offered by Comprehensive Treatment Centers in Virginia are a good option for individuals who may not require a completely immersive program where they stay on-site for weeks or months at a time. Treatment looks different for everyone, and individuals should choose an option that is best for them.
Myth No. 4: Outpatient treatment programs aren’t effective.
There is a misconception that outpatient programs aren’t sufficiently comprehensive or don’t provide all the services people need to recover. Because we know addiction is a complex disease that affects more than just physical health, our outpatient programs address the emotional, behavioral, and social aspects of addiction by providing individual and group therapies.
To address Virginia’s addiction crisis and improve the health of our communities, we must ensure that people know treatment is available — and that it works. At the same time, we must continue to chip away at the stigma surrounding addiction, treatment, and recovery so that when an individual decides to seek help, they feel comfortable making the call or walking through the door to their new life.