To make this process easier, The Recovery Village offers some guidelines to help you find the right rehab. By using these guidelines, you can better identify programs that will promote and empower your lasting recovery. Many insurance plans cover at least a part of drug treatment. If you are below a certain income threshold, you may be eligible for public healthcare through Medicaid for certain treatment centers.
- It’s not just about enjoying a cold one with friends or having an occasional drink at a party – oh no!
- Alcohol abuse is more common than you might think and is certainly nothing to mess with.
- Some people believe that there is something inherently wrong with a person who struggles with addiction.
- Alcoholism is a disease, meaning it has a negative reaction with the body which can result in the body thinking that it needs alcohol constantly to function properly.
- While that number is lower for wine, it’s still almost double.
This can be drinking every day or not being able to stop drinking when alcohol is available. Another one of the misconceptions about alcohol is that everyone who drinks heavily will become addicted. According to data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 21.5% of people aged 12 and older binge drink within a given month. While binge drinking can increase the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder, many people binge drink and do not become addicted. Sometimes there is a misconception that someone who can “hold their liquor” and doesn’t show signs of being intoxicated after drinking is at a lower risk for alcohol addiction. If someone can consume large amounts of alcohol without showing signs of impairment, they have probably developed a high tolerance for alcohol.
Myth #9: Alcoholics drink every day, all-day
Many people might think that the body can never recover from addiction even after you stop drinking alcohol, however, this isn’t necessarily true. Though drinking occasionally may not be a possibility, it is possible to overcome alcohol addiction and live a normal life after developing this disease. Instead, the habits or patterns you adopt when drinking alcohol are more indicative of whether you are struggling with alcohol addiction. Contrary to popular belief, an individual struggling with alcoholism doesn’t have to hit rock bottom or eagerly seek help for treatment to make a difference. In fact, intervention and support can play a crucial role in motivating someone toward recovery. Alcoholics Anonymous can be very helpful for people fighting alcoholism.
Many people who suffer from alcoholism don’t even realize it right away. Myths about alcohol addiction are misleading and can have far-reaching effects. Common misconceptions about alcohol abuse can discourage people from seeking treatment and perpetuate harmful information. A person does not have to drink every single day to have an alcohol problem.
Drinking Only Affects the Person Drinking
In reality, people who have an alcohol use disorder may be able to hide their addiction and continue to function quite well at work. Despite the potential dangers, myths about drinking persist, which—for some—can prove fatal. When people think of alcoholism and someone who is an alcoholic, they might envision someone who on the surface struggles with life. They might see a homeless person or someone who is dealing with financial problems or even someone who can’t hold down a job and whose life is in peril.
But the recovery community is not limited to one way of doing things. Maintaining sobriety and establishing a fulfilling life outside of addiction is a unique journey for everyone. So figure out what works best for you by trying different things. For example, you can go to a few AA meetings per week but also incorporate activities like yoga and meditation to maintain sobriety. There are countless options and an enormous alcohol recovery community at your fingertips. Thinking a person is too old to have a drinking problem is one of many alcohol myths and is simply not true.
Alcohol treatment programs are ineffective since so many people in recovery relapse.
Many people turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism for their struggles, but not everyone becomes dependent. Alcohol causes our brain to be sedated, like when getting anesthesia for a surgery, however, it does not promote the sleep patterns that are necessary for regeneration and growth. Excessive alcohol consumption is actually one of the more common causes of insomnia. Many people get a sense that alcohol “takes the edge off.” This happens because of some of the slowing of signals in your nervous system.
Alcohol use disorder is a complex medical condition affecting the brain. It involves an inability to control your alcohol consumption, regardless of https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/five-myths-about-alcoholism-you-probably-didnt-know/ its negative effect on your life or health. One common myth about alcohol addiction is that only certain types, like hard liquor, are addictive.
Though you might think alcohol addiction can only affect people of a certain age, the reality is anyone can become addicted to the substance. Alcohol addiction is a serious and dangerous behavior that affects thousands of people across the nation. With endless information about alcohol abuse at your fingertips, it can be difficult to know what to believe. It’s because tackling addiction requires a comprehensive recovery plan that addresses the underlying factors contributing to it. A classic misconception – that some people can handle their booze better than others.