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Myths of Drug Abuse

When a person becomes a drug user, it can start off voluntarily, but after time, it becomes an addiction. The addiction is curable, regardless of the myths that say it isn't, and requires treatment or help of some sort to completely achieve sobriety and abstinence from the drug itself. If a person relapses after receiving treatment, that person is curable, despite the myths that state otherwise.

  1. Character Flaw

    • Drug addiction is referred to as a character flaw by some, which is a myth. A drug addiction is a brain disease. The brain functions that change are caused by each drug's different mechanism. Regardless to the drug to which a person is addicted, the majority of the symptoms she experiences are similar. The dependence on the drug becomes strong, and the craving and desire for the drug is increased. A character flaw can be corrected with little or no help, while the rehabilitation of drug abuse requires treatment and help, sometimes both.

    Treatment Is Unnecessary

    • It is a myth to believe people suffering from drug abuse can break the habit with will power. The fact is the odds of someone breaking away from drug abuse without help or treatment of some type is unrealistic. A person does not necessarily have to undergo treatment to refrain from using drugs. In some cases, help from a counselor, peer adviser, mentor, family member or friend is enough help. However, it is extremely difficult to cease using drugs without counseling or treatment, one of the two is needed to help a person remain abstinent of the drug.

    Treatment Only When A Person Hits Rock Bottom

    • People believe that people do not voluntarily seek help for drug abuse until a person hits rock bottom. This is a myth because many factors cause a person to seek help for drug abuse before she hits rock bottom. Family members or employers can pressure a person to seek treatment or help, or someone can recognize she has a problem and motivate herself to get help. Instances such as losing custody of a child or a death of a friend due to drugs can be motivation that someone receives before actually hitting rock bottom.

    No Treatment For Drug Abuse

    • Some people believe that there is not treatment for drug abuse; this is a myth. Adequate and accessible treatment is the most effective method to improve the health of drug abusers. Studies actually show that treatment can reduce drug abuse by 40 to 60 percent. The more researchers learn about drug abuse, the more effective substance abuse treatment becomes. In addition, drug-abuse treatment can reduce the criminal activity for someone who is suffering from drug abuse.

    Relasping

    • Once a person has been treated for drug abuse, he may relapse. A myth some people believe is that a person who has been treated for drug abuse once and relapses cannot be cured, when in fact, a person who relapses is not hopeless from breaking his addiction. Drug abuse is a chronic disorder, and there is no guaranteed cure for substance abuse. Issues such as stress from family and employers, social cues and a person's environment can easily trigger a relapse. The recovery process is long and requires multiple treatment attempts before complete and consistent sobriety can be achieved.

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