One of the reasons why 10% of the US population suffers from alcoholism and another 17% from drug addiction is the many myths that society has created. Movies, books, TV – everywhere you can find the claim that psychoactive substances are safe, convenient, and stylish. This works as advertising that claims tens of thousands of lives every year from overdose and complications caused by drugs and alcohol. In this article, we will give examples of the most common myths about drugs and alcohol and prove that they are completely unsupported by facts.
If you are facing addiction to drugs or alcohol but want to get back to a sober life, it’s time to take action. The New Breath Recovery clinic will choose an individual treatment program for you and help you cope with the disease. Comfortable conditions and experienced, results-oriented medical staff are waiting for you here.
Common Myths About Drugs
Any drugs used for recreational purposes only harm a person. They cause strong psychological and physical dependence. Nevertheless, there are many myths about drugs that people believe in.
Myth 1. You can quit drugs at any time
It doesn’t. Drugs affect the brain and important body systems. They are highly addictive. It can take years to overcome it. Moreover, life for many addicts after rehab is a constant battle with triggers and the desire to use the substance.
Myth 2. You can use drugs once and it won’t hurt anything
To save money, drug dealers add other substances to drugs. You never know what’s in it. This means that even the first experience can be fatal. Statistics show tens of thousands of overdoses a year, and that’s just in the United States.
Some substances only need to be used once to fall into the trap of addiction.
Myth 3. Drugs help you cope with stress and solve problems
Substances give temporary relaxation and a feeling of euphoria, which is replaced by a decline in strength and depression. At first it seems to be a cure for problems, but it turns out that it is drug use that causes even bigger problems.
Myth 4. Prescription drugs are safer than illicit drugs
Many medications prescribed by a doctor give a positive treatment effect only if the dosage and duration of use are followed. Abuse of drugs leads to the development of addiction, as dangerous as drug addiction. And this problem is of a colossal nature.
Myth 5. Drug addiction only affects adults
The first acquaintance with substances takes place at discos and festivals. Therefore, the problem of drug addiction is relevant for children as young as 12 years old. In families where at least one person suffers from addiction, there is a high probability that children will also become interested in substances. Addiction can occur even in unborn children.
Myth 6. Drugs obtained from friends are clean and safe
It’s not. There are no guarantees when using, even if the substances are shared by friends. It’s always a lottery, because dealers have their own agenda and safety comes last.
Myth 7. Marijuana is perfectly safe
Smoking cannabis once leads to intoxication, a state in which a person can commit a crime. At high doses, panic attacks and hallucinations can occur. In the long term, cannabis has a negative impact on health: the lungs, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, mental health, and the risk of cancer are affected.
Common Myths About Alcohol
Alcohol is sold in any supermarket, so it is considered to be safe for health. It is consumed by many people and therefore there are many myths surrounding it. However, in fact, alcohol is just a legalized psychoactive substance that can permanently change life for the worse.
Myth 1. Moderate alcohol consumption is safe for everyone
It isn’t. Alcohol is contraindicated in any amount for pregnant women, young people under 21, people with addiction and liver disease. Despite a number of studies, the harms of moderate alcohol consumption, even by a perfectly healthy adult, outweigh the benefits.
Myth 2. Beer and wine are safer than hard liquor
This is not true. The alcohol content of the same volume of beer, wine or whiskey will be different. But beer and wine are usually drunk in large volumes, so the amount of pure alcohol ingested will be the same in all cases. The harm is commensurate with the same amount of pure alcohol.
Myth 3. Coffee or a cold shower helps you sober up faster
In an hour, a man’s body can process 0.1 g of pure alcohol per hour per 1 kg of body weight. This means that a man weighing 100 kg will process 10 g of alcohol or 200 ml of 5% beer in an hour. Women process alcohol on average 10% slower. Coffee and cold showers do not help the liver in this process.
Myth 4. Alcohol helps you relax and sleep better.
Alcohol has a sedative effect on the body, but it also disrupts the phases of sleep and shortens its overall duration. After alcohol consumption, the central nervous system slows down, but compensatory arousal occurs afterwards. This is accompanied by an increase in heart rate and stress hormone levels.
Myth 5. It is safe to drive after one or two shots of alcohol
You can’t. Any dose of alcohol negatively affects a person’s cognitive abilities. In the United States, the legal blood alcohol content is 0.08%. This reduces reaction time by 120 milliseconds. How critical is this? Driving at 70 miles per hour, a drunk driver will travel another 12 feet before reacting to danger.
Myth 6. It is safe to drink occasionally
All alcohol is a psychoactive and toxic substance. Even small doses can aggravate existing diseases, lead to addiction or provoke crime.
Myth 7. Alcohol is not addictive like drugs
Both alcohol and drugs affect the brain. They are used to achieve a sense of euphoria. Over time, the body develops a tolerance: it tolerates larger and larger doses of the substances. As a result, the person becomes addicted. The only difference is that alcohol is considered a safer substance because it can be legally bought in a store.
How to Seek Help or Support a Loved One
If you are facing an addiction, do not try to deal with it on your own. It is very risky and can only make things worse. We recommend seeking help from a specialized clinic. For example, the New Breath Recovery rehab center in California. Here you will be able to choose an individual treatment program in comfortable conditions.
The main methods of treatment that have shown high effectiveness:
- detoxification. It is necessary to remove drugs and alcohol from the body with control of the patient’s vital signs;
- therapies. Work with a psychologist, psychotherapist, groups of addicts help to find motivation and teach to cope with stress without substances;
- medication treatment. To restore the body and effectively fight withdrawal symptoms, special medications may be prescribed.
The addiction treatment process can take place in an inpatient facility (permanent stay in a clinic) or through a partial hospitalization program (day stay). Which option to choose can be discussed with the doctor at the consultation stage. In any case, we recommend that you do not delay in choosing a rehab: every day of addiction causes enormous damage to your health.