Addiction Myths
April is Alcohol Awareness Month and I think it could be helpful to address some myths when it comes to substance use treatment and addiction. The most common myth I have seen is that someone’s use needs to be “really bad” in order to stop or get support. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, when professionals are diagnosing a substance use disorder, how much someone is consuming is of little use to us outside of assessing if someone will need a medically supported detox. The easiest way to determine if you might need support or treatment involves just one question – is the substance interfering with your life?
“Interfering with your life” will look different for everyone. People tend to wait until something catastrophic has happened like an injury to themselves or others, a DUI, drinking on the job, being hospitalized for a psychiatric or health issue, or having their loved ones tell them they need to stop before they end up seeking help.
In reality, alcohol and substances can sneakily impact our lives long before any of these “bigger” issues happen.
In fact, you don’t even have to drink or use every day or every week for it to be interfering. You also don’t need to compare yourself or others who have been to treatment, are in books/movies, or follow a 12 step program. Saying “I’m not as bad as….”, or “it’s not like I have….” is a sure sign that you’re focusing on someone else and not tuning into what you may need emotionally, spiritually, and physically. The following questions may help you to determine if you want to examine your relationship with alcohol/substances:
Do you feel anxious, depressed, or have racing/intrusive thoughts after drinking or using?
Are you celebrating the good times and also coping with stress/grief/mental health with the same behavior?
Does drinking/using stop you from fully experiencing your emotions? Put another way- after a tough day, conversation, or event- do you medicate the experience with alcohol or substances?
Have you questioned whether or not you even enjoy drinking or using, but do it because it’s expected or the status quo?
Do you spend a lot of time thinking about, recovering from, or using alcohol/substances?
Have you tried to stop but find yourself returning, even after an extended period?
The answer to these questions can give you and your support system way more information than “how much are you drinking?” You are allowed to moderate your use, stop altogether, or question your relationship with alcohol, and any substance, if it is interfering in your life in any way. You don’t need to wait until it is “bad enough”, or until something catastrophic happens. Full permission to begin exploring this relationship today, no matter the reason.
Jessica, LCSW, LCAS