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.