Aug 8, 2018 | By Tim Stoddart
7 Of The Most Common Misconceptions About Recovery
RecoveryRecovery can be scary, and the fear of misguided opinions and beliefs can keep one from getting sober – especially those who have never had the chance to experience it. These types of myths and misconceptions about recovery can create stigmas and make it difficult for those to seek help where change can seem almost impossible. Some would rather suffer in silence than seek out the help for fear of being judged by a co-worker, family, or friends.
Some of these myths continue to survive an thrive in our culture, and can sometimes be presented as facts. We’ve put a list of them together to finally debunk these myths, put them to rest, and offer some insight into what sobriety is all about.
Relapse Makes You A Failure
Relapse isn’t a requirement for recovery, however it’s common for a lot of people. If someone relapses it’s not because they didn’t try hard enough or weren’t committed to their sobriety. Sometimes it takes more than one attempt at getting sober. This doesn’t make them a failure, and it doesn’t mean that they can’t get sober. It doesn’t matter how many times someone falls, as long as they keep getting back up.
If You Get Sober Everything Will Fix Itself
Just because someone gets sober doesn’t mean that they’ll wake up and everything will be perfect. Life happens, and sometimes it can be hard. People lose jobs, get sick, life can throw you a curve-ball, and sometimes, you can just have a bad day. Though, compared to the days that addicts and alcoholics used to have, it may be better. Sobriety is extremely hard work, but through that, a sober person can be prepared to deal with the tough times better.
Sober People Are Boring
This misconception can be one of the most common, especially for young people who are on the path to recovery. It is oftentimes that young people avoid getting sober due to the belief that they will never have fun again. A lot of times when individuals begin using drugs and alcohol, they do it because it’s fun and feels good. Why else would they continue to do it? After awhile, the “fun” begins to fade and using begins to become a necessity – leading to physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences. The fun ceases and as the progression of addiction progresses, many are left in a desperate and hopeless place.
Surprisingly enough, being sober isn’t boring. As time goes on, individuals meet people who are sober, and who have similar interests that don’t concern drugs or alcohol and most times when one gets sober, they find out what they actually enjoy doing. Whether it be going camping, going to concerts, or going skydiving – the opportunities are endless as long as you’re sober.
All Sober People Talk About Is Our Using
People don’t get sober to dwell on the past. They get sober to start living a life. Sure, those in recovery all have an underlying commonality of addiction, however life is so much more about telling war stories about the days of using. While it’s important to remember where one comes from, it’s equally important to not go back there.
Recovery Is Easy
Recovery is not easy. Period. If it was easy, everyone would get sober. Recovery is hard work, and for those drug addicts and alcoholics who stay sober long-term can underestimate themselves and contribute to society in a way they never imagined. By continuing the hard work of staying sober, the possibilities are endless.
You Have To Avoid Places Where Alcohol Is Present
During the first phase of your recovery, it is usually suggested to stay away from people, places, and things. However, after awhile there will come a time when that those in sobriety can go somewhere that alcohol is present, so long as their motives are clean.
No matter what situation, as long as one stays sober, there will come a time when they’ll have a solid foundation in their sobriety, where they can go places that alcohol is present. Maybe it’s a holiday party, or a friend’s birthday party. The longer someone is sober, learn new coping skills are learned and individuals become more comfortable with not drinking or using. However, one must be comfortable with their limits. If someone know’s they cannot resist a drink and are new in their sobriety, they should not put themselves in that situation.
Addicts And Alcoholics Are Bad People
From the rich to the poor, convicted felons to church-goers. Addiction doesn’t discriminate. There’s often a taboo assumption that those that become addicted are weak-willed and considered “bad.” While it’s true that those who are stuck in the progressive grips of a drug and alcohol addiction can do reprehensible things, chemical dependency is often driven by changes in the brain brought by prolonged drug or alcohol abuse. Some of these people can go to any lengths to get what they need to feel normal. Good people sometimes do bad things, but often times need treatment, not punishment.