Dispelling Myths about Addictive Behavior

Interview | Dispelling Myths about Addictive Behavior

Syndicated business talk show hosts Angel Tuccy and Eric Reamer recently interviewed Robert J. Johnson, Executive Director of A New Outlook Counseling Services. Their topic was: Dispelling Myths about Addictive Behavior.

Myth 1: Addicts can stop if they really want to –

This is a common misconception among the loved ones of an addict. They feel that since the choice to start using a substance began with a single decision, stopping should be just as straightforward.

Such thinking – while well-intentioned – doesn’t take into consideration the reality of the nature of addiction itself.

Addiction is a chronic disease of the brain. The physical structure and chemistry of an addict’s brain is altered by the substances being abused, and can have long-term affects, even after the addict stops using the substance(s).

To suggest that an addict can just stop if they want to is to disregard the actual changes that have taken place in their brain. The phrase, “he/she is not in their right mind” is actually a much more accurate description of what has taken place.

Myth 2: Addiction only affects poor people –

If this myth weren’t sadly so prevalent, it would be laughable. Substance abuse and addictive behavior knows no socio-economic boundaries and is not limited to those who have little or no money.

The media and pop culture (movies, magazines, etc.) have added fuel to the fire of the myth that addiction is a poor person’s problem. Nothing could be further from the truth. Addiction affects every stratus of humanity without preference.

Myth 3: Alcohol is much better than drugs –

Alcohol (ethanol) is a depressant used as a drug and is the main ingredient in alcoholic beverages.

It is addictive in nature, and responsible for addictive behavior and even the deaths of tens of thousands of people in the United States every year.

Seek Help and Commit to Long Term Treatment

We’ll end this article with one more myth:

Myth 4: 28 days is all you need to break the cycle of addiction.

This simply is not true. Just detoxifying by stopping the use of a substance isn’t enough to break the addictive behavior cycle.

Seek professional counseling, and maybe even some intensive outpatient therapy for a period of 8-12 months. If you’d like to meet with one of our counselors, please contact us today here or call us at 720-336-4019.

Interview | Dispelling Myths about Addictive Behavior