Addiction Myths

Take a moment and think of any myths or stereotypes that come up for you about drug and alcohol addiction. Where did you hear these myths? From personal experience? Friends or family? From pop culture or social media? 

As humans we tend to polarize topics into two camps: right or wrong, good or bad. But what if addiction isn’t as black-and-white as we’ve been taught to believe? Below are six common myths, and the reality, when it comes to addiction. 

Myth #1: Addiction is all about will power.

Reality: Research shows that addiction causes changes to the neural pathways of the brain. These changes create a physical need for further use of substances, just as our brains tell us we need food or water.  At this point, it is no longer about choice, self-control, or decision making. Instead, our brain is telling us that drugs or alcohol are necessary for not only pleasure, but survival. 

Myth #2: Addiction is a behavioral issue, not a disease.

Reality: If this were true, then how do we explain “high functioning alcoholism?” Addiction starts in the brain, as I explained in Myth #1, and goes beyond behavior.

Simply changing behavior without insight or awareness tends to have short term benefits, and no long term consequences. It’s possible for someone to quite cold turkey, but that doesn’t mean they understand the reasons behind why they were using substances to cope. Again, addiction begins in the brain, which means that treatments like psychotherapy and even medication can be helpful in not only treating the behavior, but the reasoning behind the behavior as well. 

Myth #3: You have to hit rock bottom in order to get better.

Reality: Not every person who wants to change their relationship with alcohol or drugs has “hit rock bottom.” In fact, reinforcing this idea can actually be incredibly dangerous. The more someone thinks they need to hit “rock bottom” first, the higher the consequences can be for them. If we help others to understand that they can begin recovery and ask for help at any time, the more likely people are to seek out their resources, support system, and available coping skills.

Myth #4: If you’re addicted to drugs/alcohol you have to call yourself “addict” or “alcoholic”.

Reality: Everyone is entitled to use whatever language or label works for them. 

For some, using this language may act as a reminder to avoid substances. Labeling themselves as an “addict” or “alcoholic” may reinforce empowerment within their recovery. 

For others, using language and labels such as “addict” or “alcoholic” may reinforce shame, regret, stigma, and social exclusion. 

Choosing not to label oneself in this way is not a form of avoiding responsibility or taking accountability. Actually, it’s a way to disengage our behavior from our identity. 

Some other labels people might use for themselves include: sober, in recovery, or a person with substance use disorder.

Myth #5: Once an addict, always an addict.

Reality: This goes back to Myths #2 and #4. For some, using absolute, definitive language like “once an addict always an addict” can be disempowering and reinforce shame, which oftentimes drives substance use. In addition, If we assume that this phrase is true, we also assume the position that treatment options like therapy just won’t be helpful. 

Recovery is not a linear process, and yes, relapse is always something to be aware of. But that does not mean that you’re “always an addict,” it just means you fell back into old, unhelpful coping strategies, and maybe you have some more awareness, learning, and growth to do. 

One final thought about this: not only is recovery not linear, it also doesn’t look the same from person to person. For some, it’s not as black and white as sobriety, and that makes it more challenging to determine what’s healthy substance use and what’s not. 

Myth #6: Addiction (or relapse) = failure.

Reality: Having an addiction doesn’t make you a bad person or a failure, it just makes you human. And same goes for relapsing in your recovery. We all “relapse” on things we’re working on, whether that’s sobriety or other habits, like going to the gym. It’s part of the human experience to ebb and flow in our growth and change process, and that’s not a bad thing, it’s just a thing we want to be aware of so we can “course correct” when necessary. 

Are you questioning your own relationship with drugs and/or alcohol? Consider sending in an inquiry on our Services page to learn more about how therapy can help.