Common Myths About Drugs
There is a great deal of misinformation circulating about drugs and the people who do them. This is due to a variety of reasons. But, regardless of the reasons why there is false information, it is important to know the real facts. Without the truth, people will have a harder time assessing the dangers of drug use and addiction. Below, we attempt to dispel some of the myths about drugs.
Prescription Drugs Aren’t Dangerous
Many people think that a drug cannot be dangerous if a doctor prescribes it. After all, why would a doctor put a patient at risk? The fact of the matter is there are certain prescription drugs that are highly addictive making it important for both the doctor and the patient to exercise caution.
Many prescription pain killers affect the user in ways that are very similar to more dangerous street drugs. In fact, opioid pain killers can act as a gateway drug for heroin. Furthermore, prescription drug addiction is rising rapidly in the United States, encouraged, in part, by the false notion that they cannot be abused.
Addiction Is a Character Flaw
This is one of the most prevalent and harmful myths about drugs. Drug addiction is not the result of personal weakness or moral failing. Addiction is a disease that affects people who may be susceptible to it for a variety of reasons. A person no more chooses to be an addict than they would choose to get cancer. Often, the shame associated with this myth about drugs is enough to keep an individual from seeking treatment.
There are many conditions that may lead to a person becoming an addict, including:
- Genetics
- Social pressure
- Psychological issues
- Trauma
- Home or work environment
Addicts Are Easy to Identify
Another one of the common myths about drugs is that addicts are easy to identify. The signs of addiction can be as unique as the person who suffers from them. Symptoms may not manifest themselves in the same manner in all individuals. As we now know, individuals with addiction issues are made up of all races, genders, and socioeconomic statuses.
After Rehab, Relapses Don’t Happen
Put bluntly, anyone who has had an addiction problem—be it in the last week or the last decade–needs to be on guard against relapse. Finishing rehab doesn’t guarantee sobriety; it simply provides the tools a person needs to live a sober life. But sobriety isn’t a single moment, it is ongoing. Like a garden, it needs to be tended to constantly.
A Functioning Person Can’t Be an Addict
One of the most common myths about drugs is that if a person can conduct themselves normally in most situations, they don’t have a problem. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. Even if an addict seems to be functioning perfectly normally, they may be suffering in other ways. There are many individuals who are able to appear to be unaffected by their use but who are still experiencing problems with some significant area of their lives. These individuals are also enduring the consequences of addiction and also require help, assistance, and compassion.
Learn More About Addiction and Recovery
The New Bridge Foundation® in Berkeley, CA, is one of the foremost addiction treatment centers in Northern California. We have vast experience in helping addicts recover and live healthy, sober lives. If you or someone you know has questions on myths about drugs or addiction recovery, call us at 866.772.8491.
