By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Best Ways to Boost Your Immune System this Winter
    Best Ways to Boost Your Immune System this Winter
    November 15, 2022
    back pain issues
    Ways to Treat Constant Back Pain
    August 21, 2023
    Latest News
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    More On Wellness Programs To Improve Health and Reduce Costs
    January 25, 2012
    Privatizing Social Security and Medicare: Who Can Defuse Political Dynamite?
    June 12, 2011
    Study: Risk of Death in Elderly Patients with Dementia Doubled with Some Antipsychotic Medications
    February 26, 2012
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: 5 Common Myths about Addiction
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Addiction > 5 Common Myths about Addiction
Addiction

5 Common Myths about Addiction

James Wilson
James Wilson
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

Myths about addiction create stigmas around the disease and often make it difficult for an individual to achieve recovery. Here are some common myths about addiction and why they’re not true.

A Relapse Means That an Individual Is Incapable of Recovery

Addiction is a lifelong disease with no cure, but there are ways to manage it. It requires constant effort from the individual who has it. The recurrence of symptoms, or a relapse, is very common no matter what kind of addiction an individual has. One study found that 85% of individuals continue using nicotine, alcohol, and illicit drugs within one year of their treatment. However, individuals can still recover from their addiction successfully by starting treatment again or participating in more intensive programs.

More Read

drug rehabilitation
How Does Drug Rehabilitation Work: Understanding the Process
How to Start Leading a Healthier Lifestyle Post-Addiction
Kratom: Alleviating Herb Or A Hidden Danger To Your Health?
How An Alcohol Detox Center Can Help You Fight Addiction
3 Ways to Help a Recovering Addict

Prescription Drugs Can’t Be Addictive Because a Doctor Prescribes Them

Doctors may prescribe patients medicines like opioids to relieve pain after surgery or benzodiazepines to manage certain mental health conditions. If a patient takes these prescriptions as their doctors intended, they may experience an improvement in their symptoms. However, prescription drugs are often addictive in nature. When a patient misuses them, they can develop an addiction to them.

Addiction to prescription drugs may be more common than you think. These types of drugs are some of the most abused substances in the United States alongside substances like marijuana and cocaine. It’s important for patients to only take what doctors prescribe to them and recognize when they no longer need the medicine.

Addiction Mostly Affects a Certain Group of People

Addiction doesn’t favour any one group of people. It affects people of varying ages, genders, and ethnicities. Individuals who have a stable job and family life may fall victim to addiction just as likely as those who have more instability in their lives.

Willpower Is All It Takes To Stop an Addiction

Abusing substances often results in extreme changes to an individual’s brain chemistry. The person may begin engaging in particular behaviours or acting impulsively to find or consume a substance. Thoughtful treatments can help an individual overcome their addiction and improve their chances of staying in recovery.

An individual may seek multiple treatment options to help manage their addiction. For example, they may participate in cognitive behavioural therapy or rational emotive behaviour therapy. They can undergo a medically-assisted detox to lessen the severity of intense withdrawal symptoms. An individual suffering from addiction can also recover by attending group counselling sessions or staying at an inpatient treatment centre.

Addiction Is the Individual’s Fault

Addiction is never an individual’s fault. It’s a disease that results from various factors, including a person’s past trauma and upbringing. Genetic factors also play a role, as anywhere between 40% and 60% of the risk for addiction is genetic. For example, the children of individuals who are dependent on alcohol are up to five times more likely to develop an addiction than their peers.

Even though addiction isn’t an individual’s fault, it’s important to not excuse an individual’s negative behaviour. When they take responsibility for their actions and seek help, they can improve the quality of their life and the lives of those close to them.

If you want to further discuss common myths about addiction, Canadian Centre for Addictions is a good resource.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By James Wilson
James is a freelance writer and blogger. He loves to write on wellness, tech and E-Health.

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025
paramedics in surgical gloves and masks
How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
Health care
July 16, 2025
a woman giving a key
How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
Health
July 16, 2025
a woman with kinesio tapes on her back arm
How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
Health care
July 16, 2025

You Might also Like

out-patient rehab
AddictionAddiction Recovery

How to Get the Most From Out-Patient Rehab

June 1, 2022
avoiding substance use overdoses
Addiction Recovery

6 Common Overdose Substances and How to Respond

June 20, 2025
AddictionAddiction Recovery

Serious Warning Signs of Painkiller Addiction

December 16, 2019
AddictionWellness

12 Steps of Drug Addiction Rehabilitation

July 1, 2019
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?