This post is the third entry in our series intended to ensure you have information you can trust concerning substance use disorders and recovery. Access to good information can make a real difference when you are trying to regain and maintain your sobriety. Meanwhile, bad information can lead to bad—sometimes extremely bad—outcomes.
In this entry, we will tackle three more misguided ideas. If you want to get caught up before you continue, you can find the first entry in the series here and the second entry here.
Incorrect Info: You can quit drugs or alcohol ‘cold turkey’ if you really want to.
Listen, we think cold turkey sandwiches eaten after one of the big food holidays are delicious. But the idea of quitting drugs or alcohol “cold turkey” is a non-starter in most cases. A person who decided to quit cold turkey is attempting to simply stop ingesting a substance or substances that undermine their physical health, their mental well-being, and more. It sounds easy, but it is instead extremely difficult.
That is because over time your body and brain develop an expectation that you will continue to supply them with the drugs you have been taking. When you stop suddenly, you put yourself at risk of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms—including strong cravings—that send you scurrying back to the substances in question. If you try to withstand withdrawal on your own, you may be putting your very life at risk because some withdrawal symptoms can be deadly.
Sounds like an inescapable trap, right? Fortunately, however, medically supervised and/or assisted detoxification can make it possible for you to safely get drugs or alcohol out of your system.
Incorrect Info: Getting sober means living a boring life.
Some people take up drugs or alcohol as a way to experience more fun in their lives. They might find that reduced inhibitions or increased energy or even hallucinations contribute to a sense of fun and adventure that they feel is missing from their day-to-day life. As a result, they may be reluctant to pursue lasting sobriety because they fear life will be endlessly boring.
We would argue that this is a serious misunderstanding. Indeed, it should go without saying that plenty of people experience fun in their lives in ways that have absolutely nothing to do with drugs or alcohol. The key is to really think about what you enjoy—or might enjoy—and then devoting time to pursuing that activity either on your own or with friends and family. Any hobby or activity that brings you joy and does not put your sobriety at risk is an appropriate approach to having fun.
Incorrect Info: Only those who are really motivated to get sober benefit from treatment.
It is understandable that many people believe that only someone who has strong personal motivation to get sober can benefit from substance use disorder treatment. After all, a sense of personal eagerness to turn one’s life around can be a powerful motivator.
But the fact is that an awful lot of people end up in treatment following a court order or at the loving insistence of a friend or family member. These folks are often extremely reluctant to get treatment, but it turns out that lasting results are common even among those who end up in a treatment program at someone else’s behest. No matter why or how a person ends up getting treated for a substance use disorder, there is a good chance of success that will give the individual a chance to maintain their sobriety over time.
The Truth: Nothing Beats Sobriety
When you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, your entire life can be upended. Your health—both physical and mental—is undermined. Your relationships suffer. Your ability to succeed at school or at work becomes unsustainable. Eventually, any benefits or enjoyment you thought you were getting from your substance use are wholly replaced by misery and a sense of desperation.
But that does not have to be the end of your personal story. At The Farley Center—located in Williamsburg, Virginia—we address the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of each person we treat in an effort to help you get and stay sober. Our approach is evidence-based and relies on a powerful combination of expertise, experience, and empathy. We offer inpatient, outpatient, and virtual treatment programs to meet your specific needs, and we are equipped to address co-occurring mental health disorders that may be entangled with your substance use disorder.
This series has been all about countering incorrect information. We want to end it with a simple truth: The Farley Center is ready and able to help you turn your life around for the better.
