Common Misconceptions and Myths About Drugs

You may believe many misconceptions and myths about drugs. To make matters worse, the spread of misinformation is commonplace. The only way to truly dispel these misconceptions is to openly talk about them. Spreading accurate information is the only hope that society has to get drug abuse under control.

Myths About Drugs and Hitting Rock Bottom

One of the most dangerous myths about drugs is that you don’t need help until you hit rock bottom. This belief is dangerous because it keeps you from seeking treatment in a timely manner. The term “hitting rock bottom” means that you’ve reached your lowest point as a result of drug abuse.

Everyone’s rock bottom is different. For some, it means losing friends and family members because they can’t stop using drugs. For others, it means experiencing a nearly fatal overdose. In short, hitting rock bottom is often a wake-up call that gets people to actively seek help for addiction.

However, waiting to hit rock bottom is too late. What if an overdose is fatal instead of nearly fatal? Waiting to hit rock bottom puts your life at risk and allows drug abuse to develop into full-blown addiction. You don’t need to become the worst version of yourself before seeking substance abuse treatment.

Myths About Drugs and Addiction

Many drug use misconceptions focus on the idea that addiction is a choice that people make. While it’s true that drug misuse is initially voluntary, how your brain reacts isn’t. Eventually, drug misuse leads to a chemical change in your brain. This change makes it difficult to stop using drugs without professional help.

Once you develop addiction, it robs you of your freedom to choose. In fact, you’re likely to experience withdrawal when you try to stop taking drugs. For that reason, visiting a medical detox center is often the first step in overcoming drug addiction. This type of facility aids you in overcoming the withdrawal symptoms by providing a medically safe environment.

Also, it’s worth pointing out that some individuals are more likely to develop drug addiction than others. If addiction runs in your family, for instance, you’re more likely to develop addiction if you start abusing drugs.

Prescription Drug Use Misconceptions

You may mistakenly believe that having an addiction to prescription drugs is safer than an addiction to illegal drugs. However, this isn’t the case. Prescription medications are just as dangerous as illegal drugs. In some cases, they’re even more dangerous.

You might believe this myth because doctors have to write prescriptions for those medications. However, just because your doctor prescribes a medication for you doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be careful. In reality, some of the most addictive drugs on the market are prescriptions.

For example, the United States is in the middle of an opioid epidemic. Every year, thousands of individuals end up in residential treatment programs as a result of abusing prescription opioids, which are narcotic painkillers. Despite that, doctors continue to prescribe these drugs at an alarming rate. To make matters worse, the government won’t ban the sale of these drugs because big pharmaceutical companies lobby against it.

Get Help for Your Drug Abuse Problem

If you struggle with drug addiction, consider seeking help at The Last Resort Recovery. We offer a wide range of drug rehab programs that steer you away from drug use misconceptions. Some of the services that we have include residential rehab, aftercare and cognitive behavioral therapy. We also offer chronic pain recovery featuring Dr. Flower’s personal treatment program.

Don’t wait to get help with your drug addiction. Get the guidance that you need at The Last Resort Recovery. Contact us today today to speak to one of our helpful staff members.