30 False Beliefs About Addiction

The key to being successful in every aspect of your life is making the right decision. And good decision making depends on reliable beliefs. Getting rid of addiction is impossible, if we have false beliefs about addiction problem, because, the defining a problem is the first step for problem solving. These false beliefs are major obstacle for seeing addiction problem.

1. I never become addicted to drugs, alcohol, nicotine etc.
2. My friend gave up his or her addiction in one week; whenever I want I can give up my addiction in one week too.
3. To give up addictions is easy.
4. My friend tried all methods, but he could not overcome his problem, therefore, I can not overcome my problem too.
5. To overcome an addiction is impossible.
6. Addiction is a brain disease, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
7. Addiction is a long time disease, that I just can manage it.
8. The only way to recover from my problem is attending twelve-step addiction recovery groups.
9. The only way to recover from my problem is attending Non-twelve-step addiction recovery groups.
10. The best way for getting rid from my problem is to register for a 28 day rehab program.
11. Relapse means that treatment has failed.
12. I am powerless over my addiction, because I have a relapse.
13. I am worthless, because I have an addiction.
14. Overcoming addiction has to be without discomfort.
15. Giving up addiction is so hard.
16. I didn’t have to get addiction.
17. Stupid and crazy people are most susceptible to becoming addicted to drugs, alcohol, nicotine etc.
18. People who become addicted have mental issues that lead them to this problem.
19. It’s too late for me to quit my problem. The damage is done.
20. Relapse can happen without warning.
21. Recovery is an event, not a process.
22. Addiction is treated with cognitive behavior therapy, so it must be a behavioral problem.
23. Treatment is one size fits all.
24. There should be one magic solution for this problem.
25. You can’t treat addicts with medications because medications are drugs.
26. Since treatment didn’t work before, it’s probably hopeless, and there’s no point trying again.
27. Once detoxification ends, if the addict does not return to addictive behaviors, changes in the pathways of the brain will return to their original healthy state.
28. Once recovery ends, if the addict does not return to drugs, brain damage caused by addiction usually remaining for the rest of a person’s life.
29. Individuals must “hit bottom” in order to recover successfully.
30. There should be no drug relapses after completing a drug rehabilitation program.

30 False Beliefs About Addiction by Fariborz Arbasi