1 Feb 2013

Suncoast Rehabilitation Center is bringing you another installment of mythbusting as part of NIDA’s National Drug Facts Week, which runs from January 28th through February 3rd.  We have more myths to bust:

MYTH #12:

Marijuana is not addicting.

Marijuana Addiction

TRUTH:

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse It is estimated that 9 percent of people who use marijuana will become dependent on it. The number goes up to about 17 percent in those who start using young (in their teens) and to 25 to 50 percent among daily users. (Drugabuse.gov)

MYTH #13:

Crack is more addicting than cocaine powder.

TRUTH:

While there are more “crack addicts” observed on the streets, this is probably because crack is cheaper and easier to obtain than cocaine powder. But when you break crack and cocaine down, crack is simply the base form of cocaine hydrochloride powder that is smoked instead of snorted.  Smoking the drug simply delivers the cocaine to the brain faster.  The pharmacological effects of cocaine are the same, regardless of the form. (UTexas.edu, WashingtonPost.com)

MYTH #14:

A smoke-able form of heroin (“black tar” is one type) is not addicting.

Eye of a drug addict

TRUTH:

There is no evidence that changing the form of ingestion of a drug changes its “addiction” potential. This is an on-the-street marketing ploy!  The fact is that black tar heroin actually enters the body in a more pure form that most intravenously used heroin.  This means that it can be more addictive and create a higher potential of overdose among users than intravenous heroin. (Drugabuse.gov, AllAboutAddiction.com)

MYTH #15:

“Addiction” is an acute problem requiring only 28-day treatment.

TRUTH:

This is an old notion that suggests recovery takes place in 28-day inpatient or out-patient treatment centers.  The 28-30 day inpatient treatment of drug addiction was developed in the 1970’s in the US Airforce – and the only reasons it had a specific time-limit were due to bureaucratic reasons.  A military person didn’t need to be reassigned if they were away from duty for no more than 30 days.

Graduate returning to happy life

While some have found this sort of program useful, studies have shown that longer term programs improve the person’s chances for long term sobriety.  There is no “quick fix” when it comes to drug addiction, as the addiction issue didn’t just stem from a physical desire for the drug, but from issues in the individual’s environment which they were unable to overcome or from which they had to escape.  These issues need more time and a more involved program than a simple 28 day detox. But keep in mind, the real issue is not the amount of time spent in a program but whether or not the program has thoroughly addressed the key aspects of the addict’s life from the physical impact of drugs to the emotional and life situations which led to his or her addiction in the first place.  (UTexas.edu, NIH)

If you know someone who is addicted to or abusing drugs, please contact us right away.  Our phone number is (877) 850-7355, and information about our long-term, inpatient program, how it works, and the stories of our graduates can be found at www.suncoastrehabcenter.com.

NARCONON SUNCOAST

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION