Clearing It Up: 5 Myths About Drug and Alcohol Treatment

As with addiction, many myths also surround drug and alcohol treatment and the facilities that provide them. These myths are perpetuated not only by movies and the media in general, but also by people’s lack of factual information and awareness. Many people are often misled by what really goes on in drug and alcohol treatment facilities.

Let’s take a closer look at the most widespread myths about drug and alcohol treatment:

Myth #1: Treatment is a cure. The idea that treatment can cure addiction is not uncommon, especially if you have not dealt with someone with drug or alcohol addiction in the past. Many believe that once an addict or alcoholic is sent to rehab, the problem is going to be over. After all, that’s the point of going through all the trouble and paying a high price for rehab, right?

Well, this is wrong. The truth is, addiction treatment is a process and the first step is seeking help, usually from a professional. However, there are no guarantees when it comes to complete sobriety. The most that we can hope for when treating addiction is to battle the disease a day at  time, by consistently choosing to change for the better and to stay sober.

You may think: “Why would people go to rehab when they will not change after all?” While they may seek treatment for a number of reasons, it just boils down to one thing. Unless the addict wants to change for themselves and therefore undergo and internalize the treatment, it will all just be in vain. However, the real test isn’t in entering rehab but in committing one’s life to complete recovery and sobriety. The real test of the treatment comes after they walk out of the facility and face the real world again. In short, true and lasting recovery is a lifelong commitment and work in progress.

Myth #2: Treatment is expensive. Being sick is expensive–it’s the same argument. You are buying into the most important and priceless investment–your life. So whatever amount you pay is irrelevant compared to the infinite benefits that you can’t really put a price on.

Talk to someone who has undergone treatment and they will tell you that the life they have now can’t be measured by how much they paid for treatment. From the perspective of someone willing or wanting to escape the trap of addiction, they would have paid any price if it means getting their life, career, family, health, and self back.

Myth #3: Detox is horrible. More often than not, addiction begins and deepens (or intensifies) because people need to avoid the painful, sickening, and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. But unlike what is shown by the media, a medically supervised detox is not going to make you violently and horribly ill while you come off the substances, such as alcohol, pills, painkillers, and other drugs.

Most treatment facilities have medical staff that attempts to keep people healthy and relatively comfortable. Many of the people who are in detox as part of their treatment need medication and medical attention to safely get them sober and into a healthier state of body and mind.

Myth #4: Rehab is for quitters or for the weak. It’s true that rehab is for quitters–for those who are quitting into an old life. This is because as you enter rehab, you are getting ready to start a new life. Choosing recovery, choosing to enter treatment, and choosing to commit to a life of sobriety takes real guts and serious sacrifice. However, once you take that leap of faith, your life transforms and you will see that your life is so much better now. You are much healthier, happier, and more at peace.

Rehab may be for quitters–but hey, a life of addiction deserves quitting.

Myth #5: You will be judged by people if you went to rehab. Anywhere you go, there’s this myth about the stigma on people who went rehab, that they will be treated differently, ridiculed, or looked down on.

People fear that if they go to treatment, everyone they know and even other people will know all about it and will treat them poorly or differently.

The truth is, you can’t control what other people do or say to each other behind your back. What you can control is your reaction to these situations and how you treat these people.

What you can do is to choose not to be a victim and to look beyond these things. Instead, be grateful of where you are now.

Don’t think of rehab as something that will cause you terrible stigma and judgment–instead, think of it this way: it is the best thing that happened in your life.

If you are considering rehab but are afraid because of these myths or any other fear that you may have, then we hope that these information will help you make the right decision. If you still have reservations, please don’t hesitate to call or text our confidential hotline: 09175098826.