10 Common Myths
Myth #1: Drug addiction is voluntary.
While at first drug use may be a choice, over time a drug alters the chemistry of the brain and body resulting in the compulsive need of the drug. Addiction is not a voluntary choice but rather a side effect of drug abuse. In many cases, drug rehab is sought at California drug treatment centers and other facilities across the country due to the seriousness of this addiction and the patient’s inability to solve the problem alone.
Myth #2: Helpful drugs are those that are legal, while harmful drugs are illegal.
It does not matter whether a drug is legal or illegal, all drugs can be abused. Even if a federally regulated drug is considered “safe”, misuse and abuse of this drug can still have harmful effects. At times, legal drugs have been so harmful that treatment for drug abuse is needed.
Myth #3: Marijuana is not bad for you.
Marijuana is in fact bad for you. This powerful drug can cause cancer and numerous other health complications putting the user at risk for disease. Anyone who uses this drug is at risk for dependence. Other negative effects of this drug include lack of coordination, memory problems and poor concentration.
Myth #4: Combining drugs is not harmful.
Mixing drugs can be extremely dangerous. Many times, overdose and death occur as a result of combining drugs. Examples include: mixing certain prescription drugs together or combining illegal drugs with alcohol. Due to these and other risks one faces when taking drugs, drug treatment centers are recommended for recovery assistance.
Myth #5: Addicts cannot recover.
There have been numerous cases in which individuals have successfully recovered from addiction at a drug treatment facility. Not everyone recovers from drug dependency, but with the proper drug rehab program and abstinence from drugs, successful recovery is possible.
Myth #6: Pregnant women can take drugs without having to worry about harmful side effects.
When a woman is pregnant, any drugs taken can play a very harmful and dangerous role. These drugs, prescription drugs included, are able to enter the developing fetus by breaking through the placenta barrier. Breast feeding is also dangerous for the baby if drugs are taken.
Myth #7: All drugs abusers are middle-aged men.
Anyone can become a drug addict or abuser. In fact, over the past years, the ratio of men and women drug users has slowly become more even.
Myth #8: An addiction is an acute condition, and not very serious at all.
An addiction is a very serious condition. This dependency affects all areas of your life, from work to your relationship. With prolonged addiction, various health complications arise, and if the disorder is not stopped in time death can occur. Addiction is a serious thing, one in which treatment for drug abuse centers are often sought.
Myth #9: Once detoxification ends, if the addict does not return to drugs, changes in the pathways of the brain will return to their original healthy state.
While the pain of withdrawal symptoms may end, complete heath is typically never fully returned, brain damage usually remaining for the rest of a person’s life.
Myth #10: Driving is not affected by the influence of drugs.
Drugs negatively affect driving ability. Many drugs impair coordination, weaken muscles, affect attention span and judgment, as well as blur your vision. Distortion of the area around you is also another side effect, one that is especially dangerous for drivers. Statistics state that a driver with an alcohol concentration above 0.05 faces the same risks as someone under the influence of cannabis or an amphetamine based substance.
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