If we show the risks, people can use them responsibly and find alternatives for pain or mental health. Dual diagnosis is when someone has a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder. It’s important to address both, as they often go together and can influence treatment results. Stigma surrounding mental illness can make it even harder, so it’s important to give comprehensive care that looks after both. By understanding this, healthcare workers can give dual diagnosis sufferers the right treatment.

Myth 6: Treatment Is A One-Size-Fits-All Approach

During treatment, you will work with experienced behavioral health professionals to explore why you became addicted in the first place. You’ll learn how to develop a new mindset that will help you avoid returning to that substance once you leave treatment. Addressing the underlying cause of addiction is key to a lasting recovery. Additionally, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that 22.35 million Americans aged 18 or older are in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), between 40% and 60% of people with substance use disorders relapse at some point during their recovery. While these numbers may seem discouraging, it is important to note that relapse rates for addiction are similar to those for other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension.

The Truth About Alcohol

These statistics highlight that addiction is a chronic disease, and relapse is a common part of the recovery process. A common and discouraging myth about addiction is that the majority of individuals struggling with substance abuse never achieve lasting recovery. Despite the fact that prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions in the past decade, the use of “legal” drugs to get high carries less stigma than the use of illicit drugs. The impulse to blame people for their own addictions is natural, but the reality is far more complicated. Addiction is characterized as a “chronic relapsing disease” that’s incredibly difficult to overcome.

Understanding Addiction and Recovery

Connecting with support during and after treatment is essential to maintaining sobriety long-term. Whether through organized group therapy or informal get-togethers, joining others who are also recovering from addiction can help you combat isolation. Many patients also draw strength from realizing they are not alone. In some cases, these symptoms can be so uncomfortable that a person will seek to return to their addiction simply to ease their pain. In other cases, if a person is going through withdrawal and experiences more severe symptoms such as a seizure, they are in danger of serious injury or death if they attempt to face this alone. You will also spend time learning how to take care of your body and mind through healthy eating and exercise.

Modern science has shown that addiction is a disease, not a choice. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.

Myth 3: You have to hit rock bottom before seeking help

Yes, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can be an effective approach. MAT combines therapy and FDA-approved medications to address the physical and psychological aspects of addiction, increasing myths about addiction and recovery the chances of successful recovery and reducing the risk of relapse. It is important to consult our medical professional at Gateway Rehab to determine if MAT is the right option.

• In this section, we’ll debunk prevalent myths by shedding light on the facts.
• The belief that individuals can quit their addiction “cold turkey” without any professional help or treatment is both unrealistic and potentially dangerous.
• It’s essential to recognize that addiction is an illness that can be treated behaviorally.
• The truth of addiction recovery is often hidden by myths and false ideas.
• Many would rather lie and struggle with addiction in silence than face the judgment of their friends, co-workers, family, and loved ones.
• The face of addiction can be anyone, regardless of age, income, ethnicity, religion, family, or profession.

Myth #9: Addiction Only Affects Certain Types of People

Treatment should start right away, not wait for a “rock bottom”. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous give individuals support from those who’ve been through similar struggles. They provide a safe and non-judgmental space for open conversations. Methadone, buprenorphine, andextended-release https://ecosoberhouse.com/ naltrexone are safe and highly effective medicationsthat are already approved by the U.S. In all treatment settings studied, medication-basedtherapy is shown to be effective. One way to start is by revising the words and terms we use when discussing substance use disorder and the people affected by it.

Seeking Treatment Early and Tailoring it to Individual Needs