The world of addiction is often misunderstood by those on the outside. From demonizing the addict to thinking they can just “get over it” or quit cold turkey, the range (and inaccuracy) of myths about addiction can be staggering.

If you have an addict in your life, it’s worth examining those addiction myths against the cold, hard light of day. Let’s take a look at the top nine:

Trying to help a friend with a substance use disorder can be challenging. It’s often difficult to initiate an effective conversation regarding their addiction and get them to open up to you.

While it may be difficult to find the right words to say and the right time to say them, it’s even more difficult having to watch them struggle. Substance use disorders are incredibly complex, and often worsen the longer they go on.

Myths About Substance Addiction

When it comes to substance abuse, many people have some preconceived notions about whom addiction affects, why a person struggles with substances, and the subsequent choices they make. The problem is that many of these ideas are entirely false and only further the stigma attached to substance abuse.

If you or someone you know has made the decision to stay sober – congratulations! You have taken the first step towards making a better life for your family, your friends, and most importantly, yourself. The journey will not be easy, but fortunately, there are many resources for you along the way.

One of the first things that you’ll want to take care of is making your home a safe space for staying sober. Your home should be a place of refuge and safety, but for many, it is also a place of temptations and failed attempts.

People recovering from drug addiction have long reported the amazing benefits of exercise for a speedier and fuller recovery. Harvard Health Publishing has written articles from psychiatrists who work daily with people battling drug abuse and who highly recommend exercise as a key component of any recovery plan. Studies on mice have shown that the animals reduced their voluntary consumption of morphine when they were given adequate time and equipment to exercise. The science is very clear on the benefits of exercise for everyone, but especially people experiencing psychiatric or spiritual difficulty due to drug addiction. Here are a few ways that exercise helps people feel better and live healthier lives.