1. It’s the scariest thing you will ever go through.
It’s actually not. If you can muster up the strength to finally get your life on track, the rest is easy. Once you come to drug and alcohol treatment you are already bettering yourself and have the courage to face it. It’s not going to be easy because some days are good and some days are bad. But it’s worth it at the end if you stick to the program and apply what you learn in treatment to the outside world.
It can be scary at first when you have to open up all your emotions and dig deep into the past to a therapist you barely know. But over time, you will see that talk therapy works and build a relationship with your counselor. You have to be able to trust and let your guard down to open up. That’s the only way this will work.
2. My addiction to drugs and alcohol is a choice.
Wrong. The only choice you had was the first time you started using drugs. Then as drug use continues, your ability to avoid picking up drugs again diminishes. Prolonged drug use affects our brain, which is why it is a “disease of the brain.” It is something that one cannot simply control. This is why treatment is done with professional help because a compulsive drug user cannot simply quit on their own.
3. Only one type of treatment works.
No. There are many types of substance abuse treatment programs that work for each individual person. Some people find recovery with peer-to-peer related support groups or family groups and others do better with one on one therapy sessions. Al-anon, AA and NA support groups are extremely helpful in overcoming addiction and are also forms of therapy for many people. Having multiple methods of treatment for addiction is imperative for a successful recovery and long-term sobriety.
