Despite us being in the 21st century, there are still a lot of adages and beliefs about recovery and recovering addicts that send us back to the old ages. For people who suffer drug addiction or family members who have someone in recovery, these myths and misconceptions, coming from something as seemingly harmless as an uninformed comment, can sometimes bring in more damage to the already tumultuous recovery process.
A few of these myths–and rebuttals–are listed below:
Myth 1: If you don’t have enough willpower to control your cravings, then you’re just weak and selfish. You can easily refuse the urge to drink or do drugs if you just put your mind into it.
Willpower is really a powerful thing. We can do a lot of things by just willpower alone, such as finishing a difficult deadline without having enough sleep, or finishing the marathon. However, for those who are suffering from addiction, they are guided by things that are beyond their control.
Addiction, whether it is to alcohol or video games, sex or shopping, illegal narcotics or prescription pills–it is a complex set of physiological and psychological problems. Simple willpower can’t stand a chance when the cravings have actively trapped the addict in its grips.
Myth 2: For an addict to have a successful recovery process, he must first hit rock bottom. Otherwise, recovery is futile.
It is not true that people need to hit rock bottom before they become ready to change and get much needed help. Unfortunately, for some, admitting addiction is hard due to denial. Besides, no one wants to think of themselves as addicts due to the stereotypes created around the term. At times, even, there’s no second chance for those who have reached rock bottom, as drugs and other addictions can be fatal.
There may be cases when addicts hit rock bottom and then turn their lives around. However, it is also common for some to have families and friends successfully intervene and convince their addicted loved ones to get help.
Myth 3: Relapse is bad because it means throwing down the drain all the gains you have made since you became sober and now you have to start all over again.
While addiction robs you of so many things and causes you to risk a lot more, such as your career, your family, and even your health and sanity; there is only one thing that you have to hold dear throughout this whole process–your experience. This is something no one can take away from you.
Sure, staying sober is not as easy as other people may think. And even if you have a few stutters and stumbles, you will never really go back to zero. Your triumphs and defeats provides you a set of learning experiences that can help you avoid future mistakes and even potentially take you further up the road to recovery than before.
The only thing that can really hold you down is giving up. Now that is failure.
Whether you are in recovery and needing to talk to someone for counseling, or if you or someone you know needs help, contact us NOW! Call or text 0915 645 2703 or 0917 509 8826.
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