One of the struggles of recovery is sorting through all the myths peddled about alcoholism recovery. As a person seeking information on how to get better and develop yourself, some of these myths can be both discouraging and damaging. So how do you know where you stand as a person on a recovery journey? Start by knowing the myths about alcoholism and the facts.
These are the 7 common myths about alcoholism recovery that you need to confront.
1. Willpower to Break Addiction
There is a general assumption that an alcoholic will only get better if he wants to get better. It also goes further to say, you can easily overcome alcoholism on your own as long as you have the will power.
Fact: alcoholism is a disease. Addiction is caused by a number of factors including taking excessive alcohol, but this is just one of them. Treatment of alcohol is as complex as some of its causes, so it is not something you will just snap out of like a switch –on and off.
There are people who quit alcohol cold turkey, but these are exception to the rule. It is possible they encountered an emotional event such as death of a loved from consequences of drinking. The problem with stopping addiction before processing the ‘why’ is that the person is at a greater risk of replacing current addiction with another type of addiction.
2. Life’s Perfect When You Stop Drinking
Can’t you just stop and get your life back? How many times have you heard this question? Apart from most people thinking that you can just switch off the addiction switch just like you switched it on, they will also reassure that everything will be perfect once you quit. It is not true.
You will face a number of challenges during recovery based on the causes of addiction. Take for example, dual diagnosis means there is an underlying mental health disorder. While you may stop taking alcohol, the triggering factors for mental health disorders may continue. You might be required to continue treatment for the mental health illness even after quitting. You might also have to change your lifestyle in order to deal with triggers.
It is possible that alcoholism could have being triggered by a traumatic event. If these traumatic events are not dealt with in a healthy way, they will still haunt you even after you quit alcohol.
3. Alcohol Treatment is Unaffordable
There is a general perception that alcoholism treatment is a luxury that is only afforded by a few people. It is also deemed to be expensive to treat alcoholism especially where rehab and counseling is not involved. This myth sets back all the efforts meant to make mental health treatment accessible to all people.
There are numerous affordable ways of accessing treatment. If you are employed, check with your employer if they have treatment program for people battling alcoholism or addiction. Look for centers that take insurance and work with them on an affordable plan. There are a couple of nonprofit organizations that allow free access to treatment for willing patients.
4. Getting Sober is Impossible
Have you ever heard the statement, once an alcoholic, you are in it for life. There is a common myth that no one is ever really cured of alcoholism; a recovered alcoholic is an alcoholic for life. This is not true; it is possible to get full recovery from addiction.
It is true that recovery is difficult and most people have to deal with relapse and triggers once in a while. However, there are also a large number of people that succeed in getting total alcoholism recovery. There are treatment programs that help recovering addicts control urges and cope with stressful situations without relapsing.
5. Sobriety is Boring
The whole process of sobriety is boring, starting from the treatment programs to life after quitting. You get confined to one place and even after you come out, you already lost a whole bunch of friends. Drinking is a lifestyle, and staying sober means parting with this exciting lifestyle. This is not true.
Sobriety is a process of getting a new chance at life. Going to rehab or becoming part of other treatment programs could actually revitalize your life. You get to meet new people undergoing the same challenges. The experts giving care are trained to handle you well and professionally.
With a great support system, sobriety cannot be boring. There is nothing boring about starting over and rebuilding relationships that had been damaged by alcoholism. It should be exciting getting a new job or starting to be productive once again. Alcoholism recovery is not boring.
6. Detox is Enough to Recover
Detox is an adequate and quick fix for addiction recovery. All you need to do to get over addiction is to go through a detox program. This is not true. Sometimes a patient will need 12 –step program, while others require group therapy or family support group.
Detox is not enough; it must be reinforced with emotional and psychological treatment strategies to be successful. These additional interventions are important to ensuring long-life and full recovery by addressing other factors that led to addiction apart from alcohol.
7. Alcohol Causes Addiction – Addiction is a Choice
There is a common myth that addiction is a result of alcohol abuse. This is not true. Alcohol is caused by a number of underlying factors including genetic factors, the age of first exposure to alcohol and environmental factors. It could also be an underlying mental health condition including past traumatic events.
On the same note, there is a misconception that people choose to be addicts because they choose to solve their problems by drinking. Addiction is mental illness and should be approached as that and not a lifestyle or a choice. When you are sick, the solution is seeking treatment and not reversing the choice.
All the myths we have uncovered have a potentially harmful effect on treatment of alcoholism and attainment of full alcoholism recovery. If you want to learn all the facts about alcoholism treatment reach out to us, and we will work with you.
53 comments
I had to stop drinking 4 years ago because of a health issue… I only had maybe 2 beers, 3 or 4 times a week. It wasn’t that big of a deal for me to stop drinking. I told a few of my friends and they just couldn’t believe that I could be sober 100% of the time… they said they would lose their mind… I thought to myself… WOW… you can’t even be in a natural state of mind without the influence of a substance all the time? I think a lot of people have issues being sober, and to them it’s “boring” but it’s because they haven’t dealt with the issues causing them to think in this way… everyone should be able to just “be” without a substance…
Sincerely, all the highlighted above are facts. Thanks to Detox To Rehab for this piece of information.
Will power is the most powerful tool above. If one possess this, recovery is inevitable.
Detox to rehab, you are doing well.it is a life changing. This is highly appreciated.
All the highlighted issues are health related. There is a saying that health is wealth.
I have learnt about myths of alcoholism recovery. Big thanks go to Detox for this enlightenment.
What an interesting article. I do really love this. It’s highly loaded. Many thanks for sharing this.
This is a great insight to alcoholism. It’s indeed a useful and interesting contents.
Wow this is so awesome. Thank you so much detox for this great information.
Alcoholism is a dangerous and unwholesome habit. Detox has educated people about it’s facts and myths. Indeed, it is an educative piece of writing.
All Myths are very interesting. Thanks for sharing this blog. Alcoholism is very bad habit.
This is so informative and educative, I have learnt the various 7 ways of recovering from alcohol
These are absolutely right,take it or not.
Alcohol leads to Addiction and I feel the best way to avoid being addicted is to stay away from taking such.
Detox is Capable.
You have control over Addiction.
It’s a Choice you have to make and staying away from Abuse of Drugs is the Best.
Just always feel normal and enjoy life without being capped on Drugs.
It is a very informative post. The myths are really true and I agree.
Alcoholism causes addiction. I have seen a lot of people getting addicted to alcohol. The myths above are true.
I always hear this will nut in most cases the addiction is far stronger. Which i why addicts need help because tou may think you are in control but you are not.
I have actually heard some of these myths about alcoholic recovery especially like life is perfect without alcohol. No life is never perfect because we are in the imperfect world.
If you are willing to stop alcohol it must be done with all your inner mind. To stop alcoholism.
This is an informative article. The myth listed are very correct and alcohol addicts have to face it in order to overcome their addiction.
Definitely alcohol is a choice, you chose to drink it or not. one needs to always be i for a therapy when necessary as the treatment isn’t unafforable as peddle.
Alcohol causes addiction but having the zeal to overcome alcoholism will subdue addiction. Great article.
Drinking alcohol is never the south on for addicts to solve their problems. Addicts needs to change that belief.
All these myths have to be guided jealously. Thanks to Detox To Rehab for this great information.
The journey to recovery is not easy and not a day’s job. People will formulate myths so that there won’t be recovery, watch out for it.
Alcohol is very much dangerous for health.Thabk you Detax to rehab for sharing these type of stories with all of us.
Alcoholism aids addiction. Been addicted to all kinds of alcoholic substances can be detrimental to the body.
This are the real myths and are enough to discourage people out there from drug addicts. Thanks to Detox for this educative information here.
Thank you for sharing this it was quite educative and informative. No knowledge is wasted we learn new things everyday. Detox to rehab thank you for sharing the Myths and Facts of alcoholism recovery.
These myths maybe people convinced,but if we do not believe on this myths we Will succes on recovery ,
Withdrawal from Alcohol consumption is always a gradual process. If it gets rushed, it might be back to the starting point. Rome itself wasn’t built in a day. Patience is key.
Are you seeking information on how to get out of drug addicts and develop yourself, you have gotten it all through these seven myths. Thanks for sharing this educative information here.
Well, I agree with most of the alcohol recovery myths. However, I never knew alcohol addiction was a genetic thing.
These are very valuable reminders. Those struggling with alcoholism need to know help is always available and that a life of recovery is totally within reach with the proper support system. Thanks for this great piece.
Alcoholism as a social vice should be discouraged. Alcoholism destroys one’s life.
Recovering from alcohol addiction is not something easy. The best thing is not to good into it I the first instance
I’m glad to learn that there are several cheap ways to help someone stop alcoholism. I always thought it was way too expensive for most people to afford.
All seven myths are very important and useful. Thanks for sharing this blog. Alcoholism is very bad habit of all people.
There is a saying that health is wealth. The myth listed are very correct and alcohol addicts have to face them in order to overcome their addiction. No life is never perfect because we are in an imperfect world. Thank you so much detox for this great information.
This is really educative and concise. Thanks for sharing this
This is a great lesson from the detox to rehab. Thank you so much for these information.
This article is an eye opener to people like us with low understanding o matters like this, and it as done a good job in enlightening me.
This is very educative and information. Thanks to Detox To Rehab.
So surprised with these myths. Sobriety isn’t boring at all. There are several other things one can venture into so as to get engaged. Neither is life perfect when one stop drinking. There isn’t different life for drinkers and non drinkers. What we do with our time is what counts or matter.
This is informative. It is a great lesson for everyone. Thanks Detox for sharing.
This is a good campaign towards the eradication of drugs and alcohol addiction. Thanks for this piece of information.
The most important point above is the will power. If you are willing and ready to stop something, nothing can hinder you.
Indeed, they are myths. Thanks for this piece of information.
Once recovered from alcohol you need to take care of your self. Self control is the most important aspect of recovery. Other than that, a helping hand is a must for those that came out from rehab.
Alcoholism has alot of myth yes no doubt, and here are alot of clear explanation about what we thought now. I know sobriety isn’t boring when yiu choose better program.
Willpower most times can’t get you out of addiction, you need higher will or a working system to get yourself out. Thanks for this piece.
Thank you for the very informative article! These 7 myths are so true. I hope that people get the proper help that they need when recovering from any form of addiction. Hugs and prayers to those people!
The strongest of all is that it is impossible to recover. I always say whatever you can start, you can definitely stop.