It is a condition that must be maintained through a recovery and relapse prevention plan. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, 40% to 60% of those who get substance abuse treatment will relapse within 1 year. Whether or not you are recovering from drugs, changing any habit can be hard. Having a mental and physical dependence on something makes it that much more difficult. In fact, leading authorities on addiction agree that substance abuse is a chronic disease similar to heart disease, diabetes and cancer. There are a variety of factors that go into why someone would struggle with addiction. Life circumstances like trauma, mental illness, or genetics can contribute but sometimes it has nothing to do with it.

• The reality is that, the longer you wait before you get help, the sicker you will be and the more in danger your life will be as well.
• Doing so means getting help to finally turn the page on the complications you are facing.
• Lastly, remember while you may have done criminal things while abusing a substance, addiction alone is not enough to make you a criminal.

Kerlikowske’s speech focused on changing the way Americans view addiction, moving away from punishment and toward prevention, treatment and recovery. But in order for a real “paradigm shift” to occur, there are a few common myths of treatment that must be debunked.

Safe Harbor Recovery Center, located in Portsmouth, Virginia, serves adult men and women who have been diagnosed with substance use disorders. While relapse isn’t ideal and should be avoided when possible, any setbacks should be viewed as a learning opportunity rather than a failure. Many, many people have started on the road of addiction because of a medication prescribed by their own doctor.

Common Myths About Drug And Alcohol Addiction

Sometimes the addict/alcoholic goes through several rehab centers until he or she finds lasting recovery. Family members often become exhausted and discouraged at this point, and they begin to think all facilities are alike. Here https://ecosoberhouse.com/ at MARR, we focus on gender-specific, long-term residential treatment and the Therapeutic Community model. When searching for the best drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, conduct extensive research before making a decision.

At the end of their prison sentence, they are no better off than when they went in. One hundred years later, we know those with an addiction are likely self-medicating an underlying mental health issue. Many times, the person with addiction found relief in the substance they are abusing. Addiction is a disease; an addict is not a bad person he or she is a sick person. Someone who is addicted to a substance may do some things that are considered bad, or questionable to most people, but that doesn’t make him or her a bad person.

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#5 Treatment Should Put Addicts In Their Place

While there is certainly some correlation between criminality and drug dependence, many individuals addicted to drugs and alcohol are otherwise law abiding. Often, when those struggling with addiction are no longer able to financially support their habit with money from friends and family or their employer, they turn to crime. Addiction regularly controls all aspects of an individual’s life and alters the chemistry and functionality of the myths about addiction and recovery brain. The disease of addiction affects the functioning of the frontal lobes of the brain which leads to difficulty in appreciating consequences and difficulty in making decisions. Many factors combine to create the “perfect storm,” and many of those struggling experienced traumatic events and use substances a coping mechanism. Familial genetics and the environment significantly affect the likelihood that one will develop an addiction.

The bottom line is that addicts who seek help usually do recover. The presentation of the substance in their body leads to an overwhelming craving for more.

Addiction Destroys Dreams, We Can Help

Maybe someone who grew up in a “bad” neighborhood or someone who is in and out of jail. The media is partly to blame for the “addict” stereotype. However, the truth is that addiction does not discriminate, and no one is immune. Someone chooses to drink or use drugs, so surely becoming addicted is a choice, right? In their heart of hearts, they wish this would all be over.

At Anabranch Recovery Center, we believe this is a useful way to think about treatment for a substance use disorder. The bottom line is that addiction affects people of all ages, genders, races, geographic locations, personalities, socioeconomic statuses, and education. Addiction treatment specialists have an endless supply of experience. They often have a sixth sense about what will and won’t be effective in each case. For many addicts, there isn’t anything you can say to them that wouldn’t be harsher than their internal self-talk.

An addiction treatment program is a necessary part of recovery for many people, but it’s not a magic pill. People enter substance abuse treatment at varying stages of readiness to change. For some, an addiction recovery program is indeed the turning point they need to take back their life. They get sober, make lifestyle changes, and put recovery skills into practice that help them refrain from drugs and alcohol indefinitely. Others might need to participate in an addiction treatment program several times throughout their recovery journey.

Relapse is a common part of recovery and not an individual failure. Remember, addicts are battling a disease, not a character flaw or shortcoming. As time passes, those who are in treatment slowly begin to see the merit in becoming clean and sober.

Besides the others in your program, many addiction programs rely on help and support from former patients who have turned their lives around and are now committed to giving back to their communities. If you enter our residential program, you can expect healthy meals, time to socialize with peers and comfortable surroundings designed to help you relax and focus on recovery.

Substance Use Treatment

I am board certified in psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and addiction medicine. “You have to hit rock bottom to benefit from addiction treatment.” Hitting rock bottom refers to the experience of loss that leads to a willingness for change. Losses such as employment, relationships, housing, money, physical health and mental health will often help an individual decide to seek addiction treatment. Unfortunately, there is no concrete definition of rock bottom.

“Rock bottom” varies from person to person but it is not a prerequisite for seeking treatment. Recognizing early that an addiction is getting out of hand is crucial. An addiction doesn’t just simply taper off; it will continue to escalate until there is nothing left to lose. But it would be naive to say it is as easy as just recognizing the problem—and then putting a stop to it by seeking treatment. However, encouraging a loved one to seek treatment may give them the motivation they need. If they aren’t ready to begin treatment, at least they are aware of the option.

Addiction research shows that it has nothing to do with not having willpower or not being strong enough. In their mind, addiction might not be a problem until there’s a severe consequence. Most importantly, it’s not necessary to wait until hitting rock bottom to get help.

However, the idea that anyone can magically will themselves to stop being addicted is a dangerous concept. Past trauma, the way you were raised, and even your genetics play a role in addiction.

However, these drugs are very dangerous when abused, primarily when it occurs with young adults and teens. Many prescription drugs are commonly abused, including narcotic pain medications, ADHD medications, and anxiety drugs. Prescription medications can be more deadly than illicit drugs and it’s estimated that around five young people die daily from overdoses with these medications. Benzos, which were previously considered non-addictive, are now considered by the FDA to be addictive as well. Employment is often a priority because it provides the money to purchase drugs and alcohol. The feeling that everything is “good” aids in the denial, rationalization, and justifications.

Myth #1 Addiction Is A Choice

Addiction is far more complicated than simply saying no, which is why treatment is so often necessary. When you allow others to make your choices for you, by token of yielding to fear of their judgment, you are giving them to power to run your life for you. The Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations evaluates quality of care provided by healthcare organizations. Footprints has the Gold Seal of Approval, which means we possess the highest standard of safety and quality of care. Binge drinking is also risky, accounting for almost 50% of deaths from excessive alcohol use. Furthermore, alcohol is responsible for impaired driving deaths.

Sometimes they don’t even believe they have a problem and they just want to placate their families. The ability to have a family, hold a job and maintain a decent lifestyle does not preclude anyone from addiction challenges related to drugs or alcohol. Even if you don’t have a drink until you get home from work or if you only do drugs on the weekend, recreationally, you can still be vulnerable to addiction. If you’re locked in a battle to overcome addiction, an alcohol or drug recovery program can help — no matter what you may be addicted to.

• It also gives you someone to turn to who understands what you’re dealing with and won’t judge you for it.
• Much of it will depend on personal circumstances, the person’s current and past drug use, and any previous treatment they have received in the past.
• There are many parents that enter into recovery for their children’s sake.

Likewise, just as anyone can be susceptible to a mental illness at some point in their lifetime, they can be vulnerable to addiction as well. The overwhelming onslaught of dopamine cause the brain to make less of the chemical and reduce the amount of dopamine receptors. As a result, addicts feel less pleasure in response to everyday stimuli. In a triple whammy, as addiction rolls on, tolerance increases so that it takes more of the drug to feel the same level of pleasure. Many people who become addicted to substances have an underlying mental condition such as anxiety or depression, are in physical pain, or have been through trauma in the past. They turn to a substance to restore a better state of mind – or at least to mask the problem for a while.

Utilize Your Future Self To Help Overcome An Addiction

Just as every individual is different, addiction treatment should vary as well. While an inpatient alcohol and drug rehab program may have been a fantastic choice for your mom, your coworker may benefit more from an outpatient drug rehab program. Much of it will depend on personal circumstances, the person’s current and past drug use, and any previous treatment they have received in the past. During withdrawal, you will likely experience some intense physical symptoms that may cause you pain or discomfort. In some cases, these symptoms are so severe, they will make you want to go back to drugs or alcohol just to find some relief. If your biggest fear is relapsing, it’s important to enter addiction treatment knowing that it’s possible and not let it prevent you from seeking treatment. Focus on forming new habits and learning the tools you need to stay clean.

Additionally, interventions are often successful in getting people to accept treatment. Once in treatment, most people become more motivated to stay sober and they often do well. It can impact the lives of any person, no matter their background, education or income level. In fact, about one out of every eight people over the age of 12 struggle with addiction, a number which may be far higher than most people realize. Our society often places an unhealthy level of emphasis on willpower.

Whether you are letting people know for the first time or addressing someone that has a problem, it needs to start somewhere. It will be uncomfortable but the momentary discomfort does not compare to the grave dangers of prolonged addiction.