Outsmart These Common Addiction Myths

Drug and alcohol addiction may be more common than people want to believe. According to some estimates there are more people with substance abuse disorders than people with cancer. So, why does drug and alcohol addiction continue to be among the United States most misunderstood healthcare problems?

Among the many answers to this complicated question is no doubt the prevalence of in accurate addiction myths like the ones we’re about to explore here. Welcome to the first installment of an ongoing blog series where we will address some of the most common myths Americans still believe regarding addiction or recovery.

Follow along with us, and you’ll gain a better appreciation for what addiction is and why it’s

often so hard to treat.

Addiction Myth 1: An Addict Must Want to Get Better

Believe it or not, recovering addicts seldom enter an addiction rehab center because they want to. Instead, they usually decide to enter drug rehab for two reasons:

Because their family, friends or loved ones talked them into it
Because of a court-ordered mandate

However, no matter the reason, scientific studies cited by the National Institute on Drug Abuse show that when addicts are under pressure to confront their addictions, they experience comparatively better outcomes.

Addiction Myth 2: The “Rock Bottom” Moment

There’s no denying that habitual drug or alcohol abuse comes with a host of negative life consequences. Job loss, debt, arrests, injury… the list could go on and on. What is not certain,however, is that a person’s success in an addiction recovery program is related to hitting a perceived “rock bottom.” In fact, many experts believe it’s better for recovering addicts to get help sooner rather than later.

Addiction Myth 3: Addiction is a Character Flaw

This is a big one. It is a scientific fact that habitually abusing drugs or alcohol causes physical changes in a person’s brain. These changes are not only real; they’re measurable on a cellular level. At this stage, abusing drugs ceases to be a personal choice. No amount of willpower,discipline or positive thinking is enough to overcome the chemical changes in the brain. This is precisely why professional addiction rehab is often the best course of treatment for many struggling addicts.

FACT: Addiction Recovery is Possible

At Footprints Beachside Recovery we help people get the right addiction treatment for their individual needs. This includes not only treating the addiction itself, but also addressing the physical, emotional and behavioral factors that often go hand-in-hand with substance abuse. Learn more about our approach to drug and alcohol rehab, then give us a call today.

Brittany Forbes

17:28 07 Feb 24

I went to and completed footprints it’s a great program where I learned to thrive in my recovery and built a foundation that I continuously rely on and made friends as well who continue to save me!

Denis Psatha

00:32 07 Feb 24

I never thought getting sober was a option until I went to footprints, it’s a great environment,I felt like I was at home while staying in house because everyone was very friendly,also all the therapists are very good at helping you out with any problems u may have ,they have fun activities every weekend and for the first time I’ve actually made sober friends which is very helpful even after u leave the program there always a call away!!

Marina Scruby

17:28 26 Jan 24

I graduated Footprints Beachside recovery center in Oct 23’ and am going on 9 months clean and sober. This wasn’t my first time being in treatment and i was having a hard time remaining sober for more than 2 months. If it wasn’t for this treatment center, the staff, and therapist, doesn’t matter… i wouldn’t be living the sober life i am today. Walking into Footprints was the best decision i have ever made for myself, from bowling to kayaking and going to the movies or outside AA meetings you don’t really feel like you’re in a treatment center but you also get the knowledge and tools that u need to stay sober.. the support the staff offers for the clients on a day to day basis was so helpful during my time there!!! I am forever grateful for my time at Footprints! i would suggest this place to anyone who struggles with addiction/alcoholism and is wanting to get better. Coming from Georgia was nerve wrecking but it was for the best choice for my own recovery. The foundation, sober connections and tools this rehab gave me to start my recovery journey is not something you’ll get somewhere else (in my experience)!

Just Me

22:27 12 Dec 23

I went to Footprints for 120 days and it more then likely saved my life. The therapists are great and really care about the patients. There is a lot of freedom while in treatment but it is earned. All the staff are good people and really care and help. This was the place that finally got me over my hump. Thanks Footprints for all the help and support I have received.Glenn

Mahmoud Mokhtar

18:20 29 Oct 23

Kelly was so helpful and the staff made the process easy when helping my family member. Thank you Kelly and Footprints.

Francis Weber

01:55 25 Sep 23

Footprints Beach Side Recovery goes far and above all rehabilitation centers. From Leaders to Therapists to Technicians, everyone is focused on recovery, tools, methodologies, support and genuine, loving care for it's clients.Footprints invests in the classiest, devoted and certified therapists and they are always available.Rehabilitation activities centered around sport, adventures, special guests, art and education add flavor and fun to a strong curriculum.I would vouch 100% for Footprints and recommend, without hesitation to anyone in search of care - 1 day at a time.

Riley White

14:27 22 Sep 23

footprints is like the disney world of rehabs. the clinical team truly cares about you & personalizes the course of treatment to every individual’s specific needs. i can honestly say i would not be alive today if it weren’t for this program, they gave me hope when i was hopeless & loved me when i couldn’t love myself. it’s more than just a paycheck for these people, they truly care about the clients & help cater to them in whatever way possible. 10/10 would recommend

Edward Rios

15:59 14 Apr 23

Great place for recovery. Great staff and management. Provides all the needed stepping stones to recover, from inpatient to outpatient to sober living. The sober living executive manger Paul Romero is very professional and dose a great job running the house.The president John Templeton makes sure everybody gets the individual attention they deserves. You can tell he has a passion for helping peopleThey changed my life for the better and gave me another shot at life.