We at Suncoast Rehabilitation Center hear various myths about drugs, which – when believed – can really cause harm to the believer.  We are doing a series of articles here to expose such myths and get the truth out in the open:

MYTH #4:

Treatment just doesn’t work. 

TRUTH:

Treatment can help people. Studies show drug treatment reduces drug use by 40 to 60 percent and can significantly decrease criminal activity during and after treatment.  In fact, our program boasts a high success rate with the majority of our graduates achieving long-term drug free lives. 

There is also evidence that drug addiction treatment reduces the risk of HIV infection (intravenous drug users who enter and stay in treatment are up to six times less likely to become infected with HIV than users who do not stay in treatment).  Addiction treatment also improves the prospects for employment after the person has left rehab. There are many, many people who have gone through treatment and have lived drug-free lives. (Principles of Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide. (October 1999). National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Health. (2001).)

MYTH #5:

Helpful drugs are those that are legal, while harmful drugs are illegal.

TRUTH:

It does not matter whether a drug is legal or illegal, all drugs can be abused. Even if a federally regulated drug is considered “safe” under proper medical use, misuse and abuse of this drug can still have harmful effects. There are legal drugs that are very addictive and are abused often.  Oxycontin is an example of a legal prescription drug that is an addictive drug.  Similarly, opium, morphine, heroin and Methadone all had and have legitimate medical uses as pain relievers but all have become street drugs with serious histories of abuse. Also, it has been frequently observed that people have become addicted through their normal and standard prescriptions.   (Talkaboutrx.org)

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