Myths About Drug Addiction

Myth one: People who are addicted to drugs just lack willpower – why don’t they just stop?

Many people believe that those with drug abuse problems should just stop taking them. However, ongoing exposure to drugs can create a physical addiction as well as make changes to the brain. Addicts will experience physical cravings for a drug and experience symptoms such as sweating, nausea and shakes when they do not take drugs.

Myth two: Addiction is a disease so there is nothing you can do

The majority of experts agree that addiction is a disease of the brain but it is not necessarily permanent. Changes which occur in the brain due to drug use can often be reversed with treatment.

You should not think that once you or someone love are addicted to drugs there is nothing that can be done.

Myth three: Addicts have to hit rock bottom before seeking treatment

This is not true – treatment for drug abuse can occur at any time and the earlier the better. The longer a person continues to abuse drugs, the greater the likelihood of long-term damage and the stronger the addiction will become.

Myth four:  I failed to quit drugs before; there’s no point trying again

Just because you have failed to quit drugs once, that doesn’t mean there is no hope. Beating drugs is an ongoing process. Perhaps your state of mind has changed or you could try a new approach to quitting drugs. For example, if a non-residential rehab centre did not work, you could try a residential rehabilitation centre. If you did not like group therapy, investigate individual counselling.

Myth five: Drug abuse only refers to illegal drugs

People don’t just get addicted to illegal drugs. People also abuse drugs such as prescription drugs and aerosols. Addiction to these types of drugs is just as potentially dangerous as addiction to illegal drugs.

Treatment is available for all types of drug abuse and addiction professionals take all types of addiction as seriously.

Myth six: Any use of drugs is drug abuse

While using any drug, even just once, can be highly dangerous, just because someone uses drugs it does not mean they are an addict.

Myth seven: Treatment will cure me of drug addiction

Quitting drugs is an ongoing process and treatment such as counselling or staying in a rehab centre is not a ‘silver bullet’ to fix your dependency. Treatment will help you kick drugs and support your rehabilitation to a life without drugs.