If you are learning about addiction, there’s a lot of information you might find true. But some of the information you learn isn’t totally true. Like, how all your problems will go away when you’re sober. No. That’s not true. It’s time to put these myths to rest. This article will talk out the 5 common myths, and why they are just myths.
“People who have never had an addiction don’t understand how hard it can be.” -Payne Stewart
5 Common Myths
1. My job will fire me if I leave to get treated.
Your job might fire you if you continue to use drugs/alcohol. Substance abuse lowers your productivity and performance, and your manager might already know you’re using. Take one for the team and seek help before it’s too late. There’s also a chance your work has an EAP program (employee assistance programs). This means you can seek help without telling your manager, or your manager can refer you to recovery and closely monitor your progress. You can also check to see if you’ve met the requirements to use FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) or PTO (Paid Time Off).
2. I’m going to get addicted if I try this drug.
Not necessarily. Drugs are terrible for you in general, but on the first try you’re likely to not become addicted. In a 10 year span from the first try, 15% of people who tried cocaine became addicted, 12% of people who tried alcohol became addicted, and 8% of people who tried marijuana became addicted. I’m not saying you won’t get addicted on the first try, and it’s likely you’ll want more after your first hit, but you might not become an addict until you smoke/drink more.
3. I can’t afford rehab.
Treatment can be expensive, no doubt. But, there are other options out there. If you have insurance, call us at 855-737-7363 and we can see if your treatment is covered. You could get your entire treatment covered by your insurance alone. If your insurance doesn’t cover treatment, many programs have a cash pay discount. Cash pay discounts are often much less than the cost with insurance.
4. Since I’m functioning normally, I must not be addicted.
Not true. There are several people who spend each day going to work, raising kids and doing a great job, but are also addicted. Just because you are a functioning alcoholic, or a druggie, doesn’t mean you don’t have a problem. You could actually have a bigger problem because of it. I would recommend calling us for a free and confidential assessment.
5. Detoxing is going to be the worst.
Facilities understand recovery. And they understand the importance of making it as comfortable as possible. At New Start, we take detoxification seriously. We want to help you achieve sobriety, not stuff you in a room with medications for a week straight. You’ll be staying in a comfortable house with amazing, home-cooked and chef prepared meals, Tempur-pedic beds and activities every day to help you prepare for the real world. We aren’t here to put you on medications and let you suffer alone. We’re here to get you sober, in the most comfortable way possible.