Of all the myths about alcohol, we believe these ones are the most unhelpful! We tend to grow up hearing sayings and adages and so become conditioned to believe they are true. Just like people eventually figured out that the world was not flat, it only takes a few undeniable facts to shoot holes in folklore about quitting alcohol.
Which of these myths about alcohol have you been guilty of believing?
(It’s okay, we used to believe a couple of them…)
Myth #1: “Willpower can overcome alcohol addiction”
This is not necessarily true. When it comes to overcoming the addictive effects of a mind altering drug like alcohol, willpower alone will rarely be stong enough. Because alcohol causes a chemical imbalance in the brain, we can be tricked into believing that we are still in control. After prolonged use of a psychoactive substance like alcohol, there can be changes in the brain. The chemical imbalance can change the normal functioning of the brain, and alter the neural pathways. Continued use of mind altering substances will only serve to reinforce the damaging behaviour while convincing the addicted individual that there is nothing wrong.
Certainly it takes willpower to overcome addiction. But the reason so many people fall back into old habits is because the subconscious mind believes a different reality. The addicted brain creates huge forces of cravings and urges to continue to drink. When this happens, willpower alone is seldom adequate to overcome the urge to drink. Rather than running the gauntlet, it is often better to use some form of supporting mechanism just in case willpower is not enough! Supporting mechanism? Plan, support system, education, guidance, assistance. This is what we offer.
Myth #2: “It is impossible to change a habit”
Well, it’s true that ‘old habits die hard’. But they can be changed. Provided the indiviual with the habit is willing and able, of course! We weren’t born with habits, we just developed habits as we grew. Some habits are good and help to keep us alive. However some habits are bad and damaging, and need to be changed to live a long, healthy life. It’s not only alcohol that falls into this category – poor eating habits, smoking, inactivity are other examples.
Do you know can take as little as 21 days to change a habit? Even sooner if you have the motivation to make a significant change for the better. There are many processes that you can use to change a habit such as re-programming, avoidance, substitution, and meditation. Suffice to say, it is not impossible to change a habit, and the only reason for not changing is – addiction to old habits.
Myth #3 “Once an addict – always an addict”
Don’t believe it.
This is a belief based around the old adage that addiction is a disease, and cannot be fixed. I personally belief that addiction is an affliction, and it certainly affects the brain. But that does not mean that we are powerless to do anything about it. Quite the opposite, we can control our mental response to the habits and triggers that cause addiction. The changes in the brain caused by addictive substances can be overcome, if we desire to change.
Without a doubt, addictive chemicals cause a change in the chemical balance of the brain, and change the internal functions of an addicted brain. But it does not have to be permanent. In the same way that an addictive substance can alter the functions within the brain, a combination of treatment, therapy, exercise and mindfulness can restore normal brain function. In the same way that harmful habits can lead to addiction, the replacement of those bad habits with good habits can help to overcome the past damage.
If the habit is well established and the dependence is strong and the environment of the individual is not supportive to change, healthy habits or a light and carefree mind, the challenge will be greater. Sure. With a wish and determination to change life for the better and a supportive system available, the foundations for improvement are there.
Myth #4 “Sooner or later, an alcoholic will relapse”
Not a very helpful outlook, if you ask us. But a blanket ‘we’re all doomed’ is a bit melodramatic and particularly uncharitable for those who try their best.
This is definitely not true! It is common for everyone to make mistakes, and it is common for people in recovery to suffer a relapse. But that is not the end of the world. We all make mistakes at some point, and that is a good thing. When we make a mistake, we learn more effectively what went wrong. This helps us set a stronger intention not to do it again. (Mind you, most of us are guilty of making the mistake again in various areas of our lives.) This is what it means to be human, and no-one is perfect. A relapse is not the end of the world. A relapse should merely serve as a learning experience of the dangers of addiction. And it can be used to increase our resolve to avoid alcohol. And get the support we need if we need it.
Myth #5 “You can’t recover until you’ve hit rock bottom”
It doesn’t have to be this way. Sure, many people have experienced the depths of despair before coming to the realisation that change is necessary. They call it their ‘defining moment’ or their ‘turning point’. But some of us (and Sonya will tell this story) try and strive over a long period of time and gradually come to the realisation that avoidance of alcohol is the only way for them. And many people have made the difficult decision to change their lives because they simply don’t want to live with addiction. Some unfortunate people have hit rock bottom, and still don’t recognise the signs.
The risk of prolonged exposure to an addictive substance is that the addiction will grow stronger over time, and will become more difficult to confront. The sooner we confront the issue of addiction, the easier it will be to begin the ‘repair’ process. Don’t wait for the warning signs. And don’t believe that you have to reach all the way to the bottom – you might already be there! And what if the bottom is fatal? Then there’s no second chance. The earlier we recognise the need to make change in our lives, the easier it is to change for the better.
Myth #6 “You can’t make someone change their drinking habit”
It is true that the best motivation to quit drinking is self-motivation. But this is not the only way to do it. It is also true that some people undertake change even if they are not doing it voluntarily. Sometimes, people will be motivated to make changes on account of their family. Sometimes a serious health scare will result in them getting medical advice to stop drinking. Other motivation to quit drinking might be if their employer begins to notice poor performance at work. One more ticket away from losing a driving license? That’s a motivator.
In the very least, when an individual who knows they overindulge somewhat takes a break from drinking too much, they have an opportunity to recognise the warning signs. So even if you cannot convince someone to stop drinking against their will, it can be effective to allow them time to see the consequences of their addictive behaviour. But be gentle. Sometimes, and in fact probably often, the reason for drinking to excess is an effort to escape another pain or trouble. It will be more helpful to try to get help with underlying issues a person has at the same time as trying to change drinking habits. You can’t take the plaster cast off and start running again when the leg bone is still recovering from breakage…
Myth #7 “Treatment for addiction didn’t work before, so there is no point trying again!”
What a load of rubbish! Of all the myths about alcohol that exist, this one is particularly unhelpful. If you got lost getting to the new shopping mall/restaurant/cinema complex the first time you tried, do you give up and go home? No, you try and try again – after all, if the motivation is strong enough, you can find the way.
Treatment to overcome alcohol addiction can certainly be a long process. For sure it involves many physical and psychological factors to be overcome. It is almost impossible to take all of the steps towards growth and development simultaneously. Inevitably, we need time to allow all of the changes to take root in our subconscious mind as well as our daily habits. Not least of all to get on top of what is going on in our mind.
Afterall, it has taken a lifetime of cultural conditioning for the addictive habits to develop. It takes a significant time to make the necessary changes to our lives to overcome these habits. Setbacks do occur, but these should be seen as part of the process towards developing a deeper understanding of the nature of the addiction. Relapse can occur, but that is not a reason to stop trying. Rather these setbacks can be used as motivation to succeed.
These myths about alcohol toppled!
Our own journey and observations have toppled all of these myths about alcohol. If the spirit is willing, despite the flesh feeling weak, there is hope for anyone who desires to make an improvement in their life. We choose to believe this and this blog exists to support them!
Have any of these myths about alcohol stopped you from taking the steps to stop drinking in the past? If so, please do read more of our blog! We’re sure we can provide more reasons and more motivation for you to come on this journey with us and enjoy a healthier and more ‘present’ life. There are so many benefits to making the life-changing step and if you’ve read this far, we believe you will love being alcohol free!