Myths About Treatment

Myth

People must hit rock bottom before treatment will work.

Fact

Treatment works at many points in someone’s recovery journey. There are different levels of care to meet individual needs at time of readiness.

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Myth

Quitting cold turkey is the only way for treatment to work.

Fact

Abruptly stopping some substances of abuse can be life threatening. This is especially true of alcohol and benzodiazepines.

Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) are the use of medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in combination with counseling, to treat Substance Use Disorders. These medications have proven to be effective, resulting in fewer overdoses and facilitating a sustainable recovery. Some of these approved medications are used to treat Opioid Use Disorders and others are for Alcohol Use Disorders.

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Myth

People who will not stop using alcohol and/or drugs are weak.

Fact

Some people can’t stop using alcohol and/or drugs because they have a chronic brain condition (Substance Use Disorder).