Getting someone with an addiction to face up to their problem can be a challenge. You may also believe in addiction myths that could undermine your efforts to help. It’s vital that you and your loved one get past these misconceptions to confront the realities of the disease. Doing so can help you get past any feelings of anger and betrayal. Your loved one can also relieve themselves of the guilt and shame addicts typically feel about their condition. Contact Red Oak Recovery today at 866.457.7590 for more information about overcoming addiction.
The Belief That Addiction is a Choice
Many people believe that addiction is a sign of weakness. They think having a significant amount of willpower is enough to avoid succumbing to addiction. However, the reality is that people have no more choice about becoming an addict than they do any other illness. We don’t look down on people who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Those battling addictions need the same compassion.
Factors like genetics and the environment in which a person grows up can play a large role in future addictive behaviors. Drugs and alcohol can impact the structure of a person’s brain from their first usage. As they continue to use substances, the drug rewires the brain until it believes it can no longer function without it.
No one wants to become an addict. Unfortunately, people’s usage of drugs and alcohol can quickly spiral out of control, leaving them in desperate states. While it’s easy to view their current state as a sign of weakness, focus on the strength they show by admitting there is a problem and asking for help.
Thinking Addiction Only Happens to Bad People
If you’ve never seen the reality of drug addiction in a loved one, it’s easy to fall into the trap that addiction is a sign of immorality. People like to think they or those they care about are protected from falling into that kind of life because of being “good” people.
As many families have come to understand, painfully, all the love and support in the world may not be enough to keep a loved one from becoming an addict. People with substance use disorder will experience changes in how their brains function. They physically can’t make it through the day without getting high. The high that the substances produce puts them in a constant cycle of looking for their next fix.
It takes more than love and concern to help someone with a brain disorder, which is what addiction is. You should seek support for yourself and your loved one as you both work to overcome this issue.
Believing That Rehab Should Work the First Time
Getting a loved one into rehab can feel like an enormous weight off your shoulders. You’re hoping they’ll absorb the lessons there and come out a changed person. While it’s good to keep a positive mindset, relapses are a common occurrence among those dealing with a substance use disorder.
Don’t get discouraged if the person you care about ends up succumbing to triggers in the real world. Make yourself part of their network of support. They will need someone they trust to turn to if they relapse. You can assure them they are not a failure and encourage them to restart the journey toward recovery.
Overcome Myths about Addiction
Red Oaks Recovery offers a way forward for individuals living with an addiction. We also have services available to help loved ones understand the disease and find their own path to healing.
- Addiction Therapy Services
- Clinical Rehabilitation
- Family Counseling
- Individual Counseling
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Call Red Oaks Recovery at 866.457.7590 if you and your loved one are ready to face the challenge of addiction together.
