Common Myths of Alcohol and Drug Addiction

Myths about addiction hurt those with a substance use disorder (SUD) the same way stigmas and stereotypes do. Additionally, judgment and a lack of understanding about addiction make it difficult to seek help for SUD, but addiction is like any other disease. Genetics and environmental factors can increase the risk of becoming addicted to alcohol and other substances. Unfortunately, the misinformation surrounding SUD may prevent you from talking about or getting treatment for your addiction to alcohol or drugs. 

Suppose you are diagnosed with an incurable disease. People will help you cook, go to appointments, or form support systems. Now, think about how some treat people with a SUD. They may scorn those with addiction and even isolate or marginalize them. No one wakes up one day and decides to have a terminal or chronic illness, which is what substance addiction is.

Is Addiction a Disease?

Addiction is a brain disease. Major health corporations like The American Medical Association, The American Psychiatric Association, and The American Society of Addiction Medicine all agree that alcohol and drug addiction is a chronic disease. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the number of people that fatally overdose has increased over the past few years. Additionally, substance use increased during COVID-19 self-isolation regulations, so the number of people who overdosed is much higher compared to previous years.

Will Detox Cure Addiction?

Detoxification (detox) from alcohol or drugs is the beginning of treatment for a SUD. What you need to remember is that addiction is a disease that affects the brain's neurochemistry. The brain has neurons that communicate with each other by sending signals. Substances interrupt the signals and shift the communication process away from the natural chemicals you produce to aid in the communication process. Over time, the chemicals found in alcohol and drugs increase your brain's dependence on them. 

During this process, your substance use increases because your brain is trying to recreate the feeling you had the first time you took a drink or used a drug. As a result, your tolerance to alcohol or drugs increased.

Detox is the first step in a substance addiction treatment program. You may think you can cure yourself by spending a few days in a medically supervised detox center, but that is not the case. The brain and body become dependent on alcohol and drugs over months or years of use. Since your addiction took time to develop, so will your substance addiction treatment. Do not cheat yourself or your body of the essential care and time for healing.

Can I Detox on My Own?

No, despite tv shows, movies, and forums that show or claim that you can detox by yourself, you cannot do so. The body goes through withdrawal as the chemicals from alcohol and drugs exit the system. Some withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, death, or delirium tremens (DT). Delirium tremens are the most dangerous type of alcohol withdrawal. 

Medical detoxification helps you slowly decrease your intake of alcohol or drugs. While in detox, medical staff will ensure you have the necessary help to tolerate the physical and emotional symptoms of withdrawal.

Before you abruptly quit drinking or using a substance, consider entering a detox program.

Does Substance Addiction Treatment Work?

Yes and no, but what does this mean? Substance addiction treatment and recovery are personal. You will not go into a program with the exact needs or issues of another. You may need time to heal and learn about what addiction is and how it affects your life. Others may need to process their mental and physical health before addressing their addiction. Everyone's journey is different, and so is their responses to treatment.

Another layer to piecing together a workable plan is recognizing where you are in your treatment. Maybe you entered treatment unsure if you needed it. For example, you know you have an issue with substances but do not embrace the abstinence-only model. When you are in individual therapy during your treatment, talk with your therapist about harm reduction. 

Some fully embrace the substance addiction abstinence-only treatment process, and others prefer the harm reduction model. Your treatment center can tailor a plan to meet your needs. 

You do not need to hit rock bottom before seeking help. Follow an abstinence-only or a harm reduction model to impact substance addiction treatment or recovery positively.  No one can predict individual long-term recovery outcomes by substance addiction treatment alone. The environment you live in, your genetics, or your ability to incorporate healthy habits into your life are essential to a lasting recovery.

Substance addiction myths are harmful to a person with a substance use disorder. Before anyone can understand which are and are not myths, they must learn more about substance addiction and the people who have a SUD. A SUD is a chronic disease that affects millions of people. While those diagnosed with a heart condition or cancer receive support from friends and family, a person with a SUD may not. Whether you or a loved one has a SUD, finding the best care and support is essential to addiction recovery. Monte Cristo Recovery will work with you and your family to understand addiction and the steps you should take to become sober. Our detox center in Santa Ana provides personalized care that ensures safety and comfort during the detox process.  We would love to answer any questions you have about the services we provide in our detox program. Call us at (714) 824-9896.

Al-Anon's Role in Alcohol Addiction

Coping with a child's alcohol abuse is difficult. When a child has a problem, you want to help and protect them, no matter how old they are. Unfortunately, the ability to step back and assess the situation takes a backseat to the urge to fall into crisis mode. You may pay rent, utilities, medical fees, treatment costs, or attorney's fees, regardless of your financial status. However, before you try to protect or fix their alcohol abuse or addiction, consider reaching out to others.

Feelings of guilt, shame, or embarrassment are normal. So is the fear that you may be the reason your child has an alcohol addiction. Before you take the entire blame for your child's harmful behaviors, try talking with others who know and understand what you are going through. Find your local Al-Anon chapter.

What Is an Alcohol Addiction?

Over 95,000 people die every year because of alcohol addiction. In the United States, alcohol is used more than any other drug by those over the age of 12. As a result, alcohol use disorder is the prevalent substance use disorder in the country.  

Alcohol addiction doesn't occur overnight. Most people with an alcohol addiction begin as moderate drinkers. They may have a drink or two during the times they consume alcohol. Those with an alcohol addiction progressively increase the amount and frequency of alcohol they drink over time. Once your child has reached the point of alcohol consumption where they don't have control over their use and are at risk of short-term and long-term harmful consequences, their use meets the criteria of alcohol addiction. Some of the detrimental effects are:

• Certain types of cancer, such as liver cancer or breast cancer

• Injuries like car accidents, falls, or drowning

• An increased risk of violence from sources like sexual assault, suicide, or domestic violence

• Increased risky behaviors, like unprotected sex or sex with multiple people

• Mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety

• Memory issues

• Heart, liver, or digestive issues

Before you assume responsibility for your child's alcohol use disorder, remember that you can't stop your child from drinking. The person with alcohol addiction is responsible for their behavior, and they are the only ones who can stop drinking.

What Are the Signs of an Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol use affects all those who are around a person with alcohol addiction. When a person is diagnosed with alcohol addiction, they meet two or more of the following criteria:

• Consuming alcohol in more significant amounts or for a longer time than intended

• Struggling with the inability to reduce their drinking even when they try

• Spending excessive time getting, drinking, and recuperating from alcohol

• Experiencing cravings

• Showing a lack of interest in maintaining social, work, or family obligations

The signs listed above are a few of the symptoms, but there are more. You can reach out to an addiction therapist or attend an Al-Anon meeting to determine if your child has an alcohol use disorder.

What Is Al-Anon?

Al-Anon is a support program for anyone whose life is affected by a loved one's drinking. The program encourages those who attend meetings to share their experiences while using the principles of Al-Anon to help them cope. If your child has an alcohol use disorder, you can attend Al-Anon meetings to bring about positive change to your situation, even if your child doesn't admit to or face their addiction.  

Al-Anon's history dates to at least 1939. Some people whose loved ones attended Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings began to go with them. As the families and friends participated in the discussions, they began to talk about how their loved one's addiction affected their lives. Over time, the friends and family members who attended AA meetings started to schedule meetings focused on their needs.

Al-Anon doesn't have a religious affiliation. Instead, members are welcome to explore what brings them comfort. For example, some may find inner peace when they are outdoors, practicing yoga, or cooking. The goal of Al-Anon is not to promote one way in which a person can cope with their loved one's alcohol addiction. Your inner peace or power is yours to define.

Understanding Al-Anon 

When you decide to go to an Al-Anon meeting, you may do so because you feel hopeless, depressed, or want to find a positive way to change your life. However, you may have questions or are hesitant to attend a meeting. 

Maybe you don't know if you're ready to go to a meeting. Sometimes, parents are consumed by trying to cope with their child's alcohol addiction, and they overlook how finding positive support is beneficial to their mental and physical health. Alternatively, maybe you aren't sure you want to interact with others physically. You may not feel comfortable going to an in-person meeting, but you can attend a meeting via Zoom.

When you attend a meeting, you aren't obligated to become a member of that group because there are a variety of meetings and ways to observe them you can pick or choose according to your schedule. You have the power to decide what's right for you.

Finding support to help you cope with the effects of a loved one's drinking on your life is essential to maintaining your physical and mental well-being. You may think you are helping your loved one when you protect, cover up, or clean up the results of their addiction, but you're not. Instead, you're creating a cycle of crisis and response that damages your life and theirs. When you are ready to change your behaviors, you can seek help by going to an Al-Anon meeting. The people who attend Al-Anon meetings share experiences similar to your experiences. If you don't know if you're ready to go to a meeting or join a group, don't worry. At Monte Cristo Recovery, we believe Al-Anon is a positive way to help you understand your child's alcohol addiction. We hope you find the support you need to face the challenges of a child's alcohol use. To learn more about Al-Anon, call (714) 824-9896.

What Is the Alcohol Use Spectrum?

The heightened awareness of alcohol or drug addiction decreases the stigmatization of a substance use disorder (SUD). Celebrities and other high-profile people are speaking out and telling their stories, encouraging others to seek help for their substance addiction, too. However, with increased awareness also comes increased scrutiny.

Before concluding a loved one's drinking habit is harmful, remember that not everyone has an addiction. At any stage in life, one can increase, decrease, or stop alcohol consumption. When increasing alcohol use, an individual may be reacting to specific events in their life. If they can recognize their drinking patterns and reduce or stop their alcohol intake altogether, they may not have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Many people who drink fall into various points on the alcohol use spectrum.

Do I Have a Drinking Problem?

Whether an individual thinks they have a drinking problem or seeks guidance from a substance addiction treatment center, they are actively taking the first steps to learn about the alcohol use spectrum. 

Alcohol Use Spectrum

Everyone has a different reaction to alcohol. Some people can drink without experiencing significant side effects, while others experience personality changes and emotional outbursts when drinking. However, an AUD looks different for everyone. 

When envisioning a person struggling with alcoholism as someone in dirty clothes with poor hygiene living on the street, an individual may believe that they are not at risk of alcohol addiction. This could not be further from the truth. Anyone—no matter their age, economic status, or gender—can have an AUD. The alcohol use spectrum helps people identify their level of alcohol use.

As with most levels on a spectrum, each point represents a different type. For ease in understanding and gauging one's classification, it is important to break down the five types from lowest risk to the highest risk.

• First Level: Experimental use of alcohol is the first level in the alcohol use spectrum. Many people who try alcohol for the first time are in their teens and are curious to find out what it tastes like. Some may decide they do not care for more, while others may overindulge. The result of consuming too much, vomiting, or having a hangover is enough to prevent further use for some. Then, others may try alcohol and feel like they discovered a new friend. Unfortunately, this group of people is at risk of developing an addiction. The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes that the potential for addiction occurs when chemicals flood the brain and a light turns on. Sadly, once the light is on, turning it off becomes challenging.

• Second Level: Occasional alcohol users may only drink in social situations, such as parties, dinner events, or with friends. This category can control their alcohol consumption to social outings.

• Third Level: Situational alcohol use means a person's drinking habits begin to change based on their surroundings and emotional state. For example, if they normally drink on special occasions but make exceptions to include other events that may be uncomfortable, it is important to take note of these patterns.

• Fourth Level: Situational drinking can shift to binge drinking. For example, This can include attending a party with the intention of taking the edge off by getting buzzed. However, individuals may binge drink, feel sick, and decide never to drink that heavily again. If so, they probably do not have an AUD. On the other hand, those who binge drink, get sick, and habitually choose to do it again may have one. Binge drinking is not limited to those who overconsume alcohol at certain events. For example, an individual may have a time of stress or emotional upheaval throughout their life and turn to alcohol to help them balance their feelings. However, those who recognize an unhealthy drinking pattern and take the necessary steps to decrease or stop their drinking are at low risk for AUD.

• Fifth Level: Those who reach the fifth level of the spectrum are either abusing or dependent on alcohol. At this stage, alcohol becomes the forefront of a person's life, damaging personal and work relationships. Chronic alcohol use is also a cause of risky behavior that worsens AUD.

The Next Steps

Identifying whether or not one connects with any of these levels is important. If any connections were made, the next step is making the conscious effort and decision to quit drinking. If choosing to seek help at a medically supervised detoxification center, it is possible to uncover the root of one's drinking and learn new coping skills to tackle negative feelings in the future. 

The alcohol use spectrum describes the differences between levels of drinking. You can gauge your drinking habits and assess if you're at risk of becoming alcohol dependent using the alcohol use spectrum. Not everyone who drinks has an alcohol use disorder, but there may be times in your life when you will move from one level to another based on circumstances. People who can regulate their drinking or don't care to drink at all are at low risk of developing an AUD. However, if you increase your alcohol intake and no longer feel you have control over your actions, your odds of an AUD increase. Monte Cristo Recovery is a medically supervised detoxification treatment center. When you're ready to face your AUD head-on, we are here to guide you through the detox process. Once you complete detox, we will help you continue your substance addiction recovery journey. Call us today for information at (714) 824-9896.