Debunking Addiction and Recovery Myths

Addiction treatment takes care of your physical, mental, and emotional needs, which takes time and work. It takes bravery to attend an addiction treatment program since it involves more than just discussing your thoughts or finding the fortitude to stop using. Whether you’re still debating it or have already made a choice, you should be proud of yourself for taking this critical first step.

People sometimes fear entering treatment because of misconceptions about recovery programs or substance abuse. If you’re like most people, you’ve undoubtedly heard a lot about drug addiction but not much about recovery programs or what occurs when someone decides to combat their addiction.

If you’re debating whether to enroll in a program, you need reliable information to decide which program is ideal for you. You may have heard some addiction and recovery facts along the way, but let’s differentiate reality from fiction.

Addiction Defined

Before discussing the myths surrounding addiction and recovery, it is first necessary to define what addiction is. Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder that presents as an extreme urge to engage repeatedly in a particular behavior. Typically the behavior engaged in will be the taking of drugs or the abuse of a particular substance.

Addiction is commonly divided into three segments, and these are mental, physical, and emotional. A comprehensive addiction recovery program like that at Haven House will focus on all three aspects of addiction to help program participants achieve long-term rehabilitation and recovery.

6 Myths and Facts About Addiction and Recovery

Here are six of the most frequent addiction misconceptions, coupled with the facts that debunk the myth:

Myth #1: All I need to do is detox.

Most addiction treatment facilities prefer the phrase “medically managed withdrawal” since the term “detox” suggests that everything will be okay after the substance you are addicted to has left your body. However, withdrawing from an addictive drug is merely the first stage in the recovery process. It also does nothing to address the causes of addiction.

You may likely suffer acute bodily symptoms that cause agony or discomfort throughout withdrawal. In some circumstances, these symptoms are so terrible that you will merely desire to return to drugs or alcohol to get some relief. When you choose proper medical withdrawal, you are choosing to be guided by a team of experienced, compassionate professionals who can make you more relaxed and help you find peace without relapsing into your addiction.

Addressing the root cause of addiction is critical to long-term recovery, as much of the recovery process occurs after your body is no longer biologically dependent on alcohol or drugs.

Lastly, you will also learn how to care for your body and mind by developing a healthy lifestyle. You will learn the importance of proper food and exercise and how these two factors can assist you in healing physically and emotionally from the impacts of addiction.

Myth #2: I don’t require withdrawal treatment.

You’re hooked if you can’t sleep or operate regularly without drugs or alcohol in your system. Contrary to popular belief, addiction is a genuine physical reliance on a substance.

You become hooked to a substance because your body learns to rely on it rather than its natural mechanisms. When you eliminate alcohol or a chemical substance from your system, your body will have a significant physical reaction to the lack of the substance to which it has been used. This shift can cause substance abuse effects, such as swings in mood, seizures, and anxiety.

In some situations, these symptoms can be so distressing that a person would desire to return to their addiction only to alleviate their discomfort. In other circumstances, if a person goes through withdrawal and has more severe symptoms, like a seizure, they risk significant damage or death if they try to deal with it alone.

Although we cannot avoid withdrawal symptoms, medical care and addiction therapy can help alleviate some of your triggers in addiction and protect you from the risks of specific illnesses.

Myth #3: Quitting cold turkey is the best option.

When someone says they’re going to quit drugs or alcohol “cold turkey,” they indicate that they will do it without the support of medicines or trained medical staff. The cold turkey method involves wholly and suddenly stopping the use of whatever substance you are addicted to.

This method is an all-or-nothing approach, does not involve any steps, and is not a gradual process where the amounts taken are gradually lessened. Cold Turkey is so named because of the goosebumps people will get when withdrawing from whatever substance they have been using and abusing. These goosebumps resemble the skin of a turkey when it is kept in the fridge, hence the name. Someone who decides to handle their addiction in this manner usually tries to stop using drugs or alcohol at home alone and not utilize addiction therapy.

There are two reasons why quitting cold turkey is risky. Firstly, as your body begins to suffer acute withdrawal symptoms, you may be tempted to give up and seek out drugs or alcohol to alleviate the often painful sensation associated with withdrawal symptoms.

Secondly, quitting using the cold turkey method may prove fatal. Remember that drug or alcohol addiction occurs when your brain is dependent on those substances. When those substances abruptly disappear, you may have significant adverse effects, which may even prove fatal. You are at risk if you are not in a supervised environment.

Myth #4: It does not qualify as a treatment if I require medication.

Medically managed withdrawal is a broad term that encompasses a variety of treatments. One of these treatments is using drugs to alleviate cravings and balance brain chemicals while going through withdrawal. For example, doctors may prescribe methadone to patients suffering from symptomatic heroin withdrawal.

Some people are dubious about utilizing prescription medicine to address drug-induced physical dependence. However, these drugs are essential in minimizing the likelihood of a patient inflicting harm on himself or others during withdrawal. Going through medically supervised and assisted withdrawal does not slow your recovery.

With adequate direction and supervision, prescription drugs can provide crucial, occasionally life-saving, assistance during withdrawal. Typically, when patients reach a particular stage in their recovery, their medical team might begin to reduce the number of drugs used to address their symptoms.

Myth #5: I won’t have any freedom in a treatment program.

While treatment programs have boundaries and standards you must follow, there is also a lot of flexibility involved.

When partaking in a drug rehabilitation and recovery program, you can expect healthy meals, the opportunity to mingle with peers, and pleasant settings that help you relax and focus on rehabilitation and long-term recovery. You’ll have time to yourself, and as your program advances, you will be allowed to see family members and friends. You might also look into outpatient programs, which are specifically designed to allow you to preserve your freedom while receiving addiction treatment.

Myth #6: I can’t just leave my life to seek treatment.

Putting your life on wait to attend a treatment program may seem daunting. You may be afraid to leave your loved ones behind or be concerned that you will not have a place to live once your treatment is through. It’s natural to feel this way, but taking a break from your routine might help your treatment and overall recovery.

Losing the habits and settings that likely led to your addiction in the first place is an essential aspect of the addiction and recovery process. If an intense outpatient program is ideal, you can receive therapy without leaving your home for lengthy periods. When you give yourself time to heal in a trigger-free setting, you offer yourself a higher chance of keeping your sobriety when you return home.

Treatment is also intended to assist you in learning to make reasonable adjustments and prepare to reengage with your family, friends, and coworkers after completing your program. A treatment program can include your family and support system so they can learn more about what you’ve been going through and how to help you heal.

Conclusion

Reach out if you are worried about yourself or someone close to you. Whether you are informing individuals for the first time or addressing an issue, you must begin someplace. It will be unpleasant to stop addiction suddenly, but this is nothing compared to the terrible hazards of long-term addiction. Be encouraging, open, and honest with yourself and others around you. There is no time restriction in the recuperation process; take it slowly. Everyone’s experience will be unique.

Jumpstart your recovery at Haven House Recovery.

If you or someone you care about is battling addiction, you’ve likely come across an endless supply of information and exaggerated claims. However, selecting the best treatment program most likely to help you takes time, patience, and investigating prowess. Haven House Recovery, a renowned addiction recovery leader, offers recovery programs for addiction based on medical and psychological research but adapted to each patient’s specific requirements and circumstances. Our center for addiction recovery in Santa Rosa Beach, FL is dedicated to assisting you in finding a path ahead by providing inpatient, outpatient, and day treatment alternatives to battle and prevent the negative effects of drugs

Are you ready to start the journey of recovering from addiction? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us right away and learn more about our addiction recovery programs.