Some Myths Regarding Drug Abuse and Addiction

Posted by soberassistance on May 2nd, 2017

There is a very fine line that comes between drug use and abuse. There are a very few addicts that would be able to recognize that they have crossed this line, and now need a therapist in St. Louis, or wherever they are. The thing about finding the right therapist in St. Louis is that you first need to understand what you can expect. Unfortunately, a lot of myths and conceptions surround drug rehab, which leads to improper treatments and unfair expectations that are never good in the long run. Below are some of the most popular myths that surround drug de-addiction and can be the cause of a lot of failed treatments, despite support from a good therapist in St. Louis:

Myth 1: Will power is all you need if you want to overcome drug addiction. You do not need a therapist in St. Louis if you really want to quit.

Fact: This is true if you are regularly using drugs but are not yet addicted. As mentioned above, there is a very thin line between the two. Prolonged drug usage can alter your brain in ways that will lead to such powerful cravings that you will feel the compulsion to use drugs. Simple will power cannot suffice in this case.

Myth 2: Addiction is like a disease. There is not much that anyone can do about it.

Fact: Most therapists in St. Louis agree that addiction is indeed a disease that after a while affects the brain adversely. But, this does not make the drug abuser a helpless victim, unable to do anything. These changes that are associated to the addiction and are affecting the brain can be reversed. It will of course take time, depending on the situation, but a little therapy, exercise, medication, and other treatments can go a long way in helping the addict.

Myth 3: You have to hit rock bottom, the worst situation, before you can start getting better.

Fact: This is so wrong to believe, yet people still wait for a situation to get as bad as it can before going to a therapist in St. Louis. Recovery can actually begin at any point in the addiction process. In fact, the earlier you start, the better it is. The longer you let the drug addiction go on for, the stronger it becomes and the harder it is to fix. Do not wait for too long; begin treatment as soon as you notice the issue.

Myth 4: You cannot force treatment onto someone; they have to want help, in order for it to work.

Fact: Treatment does not always have to be voluntary. It is of course better if the patient wants it; but if they don’t, and you notice that they require it, involuntary programs can also be used. People who are pressured into a treatment can benefit from it too. As they are kept away from the substance and their thinking begins to clear, a lot of the patients decide to change their habits.

Myth 5: There is no second chance in treatment.

Fact: Recovery is a long process and setbacks are not uncommon. If an addict relapses, it does not mean that they are a lost cause. Instead, going back to the treatment or changing the approach is what is required at this point.

Recovery from drug addiction is a tedious process, but is worth it in the end. The only thing to remember is to not fall prey to the false conceptions and ruining your chances at recovery.

Author Bio

Diana Richards is a 40 year old mother of two. She lost her husband 5 years ago to a drug overdose. Since then, she has been working part time at a sober living home in St. Louis, so she can help as many people as she can.