Common Myths About Addiction

April 29th, 2021

Addiction has been around for a long time and has affected the majority of the population in some way along the way. Addiction is also something that many people form opinions about and has long since had rumors spread about it in various ways. There are myths about how one becomes addicted, myths about the recovery process and so on. In this blog, we’ll debunk some common myths and misconceptions about addiction and addiction recovery.

Number One - Quitting cold turkey is the best way to get clean

Some people have heard that the best and only way to really “kick the habit” is to quit cold turkey, meaning to quit suddenly. Quitting abruptly usually implies doing it alone. People who believe this thinking don’t take action because the thought of stopping all of a sudden seems so drastic. Or you try to quit cold turkey only to realize the challenges and fall right back into your addiction.  Also, detoxing by yourself can be dangerous due to all the withdrawal symptoms you’ll likely experience. At a qualified rehab facility, you’ll have professional clinicians assisting you through the process, making sure that you are able to detox safely.

Number Two - There is no cure for addiction, so there is no point in going to rehab.

Many scientists and researchers have categorized addiction as a “complex disease.” However, this doesn’t mean that there is no help or hope for addiction. In fact, rehab facilities have made great strides in developing treatments for people who struggle with drug or alcohol abuse. Such as Windmill Wellness Ranch’s iTMS treatment.  Just like any other disease, you can find relief for this disorder. You may not technically be able to “cure” your disease, but you most certainly can overcome it and find ways to move on into sobriety.

Number Three - Addiction is a choice and a self inflicted disease. These people chose to drink or do drugs.

At the end of the day, no one would choose to develop an addiction any more than they'd choose to get cancer. Addiction is a consequence of many contributing factors, including genetics, upbringing, trauma and other influences. People with addiction are usually living pretty miserable lives and wouldn't choose to live that way if given the chance. Because of these factors, we cannot look at an addict as someone who is daily choosing their addiction over living a normal and healthy life.

Number Four - Someone has to hit rock bottom before they can get better.

This simply isn’t true, and it is dangerous. The longer someone waits to get treatment, the sicker they get, and this can have deadly consequences. Studies show that people forced into treatment have an equal chance of success as people who decide to go on their own. Additionally, people who get help before their addiction becomes very severe have more resources available to them, such as a supportive family or a job to help them successfully recover. Ultimately, the sooner someone receives help for their addiction the better off they will be.

Number Five - Relapse means treatment failed the addict.

After going to treatment and getting sober, some individuals find themselves returning to alcohol or drug use. This is known as relapse and many people think it means treatment has failed. This is a myth, because ultimately recovery is a process, and so is treatment. It's not uncommon for people to have multiple relapses and therefore multiple visits to rehab in an attempt to get clean. Like a medical condition that needs to be treated several times, a person has to comply with doctor's orders to see any success. The more a person with addiction applies what they’ve learned in treatment, the better their chances of recovery.

At the end of the day, addiction is a disease and it is a daily battle. If you or a loved one are battling addiction, our team at Windmill Wellness Ranch wants to help. Our 75-acre ranch is the perfect place to get away from it all and find the path to recovery. Reach out to our team today to learn more about the Windmill Guarantee and get started today.

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