SIX RECOVERY MYTHS YOU SHOULD NOT BELIEVE
Recovery myths and horror stories abound. These misconceptions can lead to the death of an alcoholic or addict in a heartbeat. Getting into treatment as early as possible is imperative. There are many, many myths surrounding addiction and treatment. Here you will find a compilation from this website of six common myths and the actual truth of the subject at hand.
MYTH 1: YOU CAN’T FORCE SOMEONE INTO TREATMENT
No doubt you have seen reruns of Intervention on t.v. The family gathers together and leverages the addict into treatment. Family blackmail does indeed force people into treatment. They may go without an ounce of intention to participate in treatment, but once they are there it will rub off on them.
Criminal court, traffic court, and family court all have leverage on an addict. Being ‘sentenced’ to rehab is the best thing that can happen. Failing drug tests and not complying with probation can also get you back into some form of treatment.
It doesn’t matter whether the treatment is for mental health conditions, addiction, outpatient, meetings, inpatient or partial hospitalization, even God forbid, a program within a jail. Treatment is a priority and you should use whatever means you have to get your loved one into treatment.
Read more here: https://therecoveryrealm.com/recovery-myth-you-cant-force-someone-into-treatment
MYTH 2: YOU ARE ONE WEEK SOBER – YOU’RE CURED
Feeling on top of the world and invincible after 7 days sober. You are cured. Or so you think!
You just managed to get through detox sweetheart. The real work is about to begin. Hold onto your hat.
Early recovery spans the first 12 months or so of sobriety. This is how long it takes for your body to heal from the toxic poison that has altered you at a cellular level. These 12 months are filled with hard work and determination. There are milestones and of course rewards, but, you are not cured.
You hit the first instance of the ‘pink cloud,’ enjoy it while you can… you will soon crash.
Learn more about this myth here: https://therecoveryrealm.com/recovery-myth-1-week-sober-cured/
MYTH 3: YOU ONLY DRINK ON WEEKENDS – YOU DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM
You wake up on Saturday morning with a thumping hangover and little memory of what happened last night. Your idea of a quiet day is going to being with one hell of a bloody mary.
Weekend drinking or binge drinking can be instantly deadly. Pounding back innumerable drinks for 48 hours into a system that is not used to alcohol and has no tolerance can easily turn into blackouts, DUI’s and sexual assault.
Look at the statistics of college student deaths. They study all week and party all weekend, overdose, and die.
Red flags for alcohol misuse are based on more than when you drink. It is how you drink, what you drink, and what happens when you drink.
Read more here: https://therecoveryrealm.com/weekend-binging-drugs-and-alcohol/
MYTH 4: YOU HAVE TO HIT ROCK BOTTOM BEFORE GETTING HELP
Do you know what rock bottom is? Rock bottom is death, permanent disability, jails, institutions, and the pits of hell.
Rock bottom is different for each person. The skid row bum of days of old is no longer the poster child for rock bottom.
If you are experiencing negative consequences to your drinking, then it is time to seek help.
You can get help before you lose everything.
Read more here: https://therecoveryrealm.com/hit-rock-bottom/
MYTH 5: HIGH DOLLAR REHABS OFFER BETTER TREATMENT
You’ve all heard of world-renowned alcohol and drug rehabs that have churned out sober celebrities for decades. But did you know they cost $50,000-$65,000? That’s per 28 days.
To get a really solid foundation in recovery it can take 6 months or more in a transitional treatment model. Here you will go from 28 days of intensive treatment to sober living, and attending a step-down outpatient.
High dollar rehabs have popped up everywhere. Competition is fierce. Catering to the ‘professional’ they offer spa-like amenities. This does not mean that the treatment model is successful.
Most rehabs will tout high (like 85% or more) success rates. What they don’t tell you is that figure is based on their ‘graduation rate’ and not their sobriety rate.
County rehab on the other end of the scale is free (or low cost) and is bare bones. You get 28 days sober and out the door you go with no buffer. BUT, the actual treatment model can be similar to high-cost rehabs. The foundation is the same.
To read more about why high-cost rehabs may not be your first choice, go here: https://therecoveryrealm.com/myth-luxury-rehab-is-better/
MYTH 6: ADDICTS WILL SEE THE LIGHT WHEN THE CONSEQUENCES GET BAD ENOUGH
Don’t believe for one minute that a dedicated addict will stop using when life goes to hell in a handbasket.
The good old rock bottom is looming in your headlights. You’ve been there, done that!
Perhaps you’ve lost your job, wrecked your car, got a DUI, ended up in the ER, lost a relationship, and your family isn’t talking to you.
Yet, you continue to spiral and hang on to that bottle of booze over anything else in your life.
After all, you have ALL the reason in the world to feel sorry for yourself. Wouldn’t anyone drink if they had your problems?
Once alcohol takes over your life, you’re a goner if you don’t get help.
Learn more about denial here: https://therecoveryrealm.com/consequences-get-bad-enough/
SUMMARY
If you have learned anything about recovery myths, the overarching theme is that an addict will place their substance of choice over all else in their lives.
Addiction is a series of dysfunctional dodging, lying, hiding, deflecting, and otherwise avoiding facing reality.
Common sense and rational thinking will be replaced with fuzzy logic and straight-up denial.
There are always options for treatment. The realm runs from just attending A.A. meetings, outpatient, inpatient, sober living, therapy, process groups, community sober support, and medication.
The thing is to START NOW.
Right where you are.
RESOURCES:
- Psychology Today: Seeking Similarities Over Differences
- Harvard Medical: To Connect Across Cultures, Find Out What You Have in Common
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