FACT – Addiction is not a choice.

While it can feel like a person prioritizes the substance or behaviour over other aspects of their life, it is not that simple. Addiction is a brain disease (Hill, 2019). It is not a person simply choosing the substance over other things. A big part of addiction is a person’s inability to stop or moderate their use. This loss of control is the result of changes in the brain from the addiction (Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre, n.d.).

FACT – Marijuana is addictive.

There is a common misconception marijuana is not addictive. This is incorrect. The psychoactive ingredient in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly referred to as THC (Juergens, 2021). THC imitates a naturally occurring chemical in the brain, which results in the brain producing less of the chemical when a person consumes THC. This changes the brain. The person now needs THC to feel like themselves and for the brain to function. This also builds tolerance so the person will need to consume more marijuana to feel the effects of it. If a person stops using marijuana, it can result in withdrawal symptoms (moodiness, tiredness, feeling on edge, irritability, etc.). If a person uses marijuana before their brain is fully developed (mid-20s), it has been linked to an increase in memory problems, difficulty thinking clearly/paying attention, higher risk of mental health concerns (like depression and anxiety), decreased school performance, and a greater chance of addiction (Centers for Disease Control, n.d.).

FACT – Addiction is a compulsion and the person does not have control.

A person with addiction is not in control of their cravings (Ackermann, 2021). The reward pathway in their brain has been activated repeatedly which makes the craving stronger. The brain compulsively wants the activity or the substance. It is not a personal weakness. It is biology. The brain and body are craving the substance/activity and go through withdrawal (either physical or psychological) without it. This brings the question of why do some people become addicted to certain things, and others do not? According to research, genetics and other factors play a role. It is how the brain processes things. It is about how the brain processes the substance and how the person perceives the feelings they receive from it.

FACT – While some people see experimentation as a rite of passage, substance use in teens can have negative consequences.

A little experimenting never hurt anyone, right? This unfortunately is not true. Before a person is in their mid-20’s, their brain is not fully developed (Arain, et al, 2013). If someone uses drugs before their brain is fully formed, it can increase the chance of negative consequences. As noted by the Centers for Disease Control, substance use in teens can lead to:

• Contribution of poor health problems as an adult (heart disease, liver disease, sleep disorders, etc.)
• Increase the risk of mental health concerns as an adult (anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations, addiction, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.)
• Increases the change of other risky behaviour
• Negatively impact growth and development, especially brain development

Many people have been educated on the fact “drugs are bad” but people do not really talk about why or the consequences. It makes the consequences seem less real, but they are very real.

For example, using marijuana as a teen has been linked to a higher risk of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations, schizophrenia, addiction, and paranoia. If a teenager uses cocaine, it makes changes to the cells in the brain which results in behavioural, developmental, and cognitive (thinking) impairment (Vertava Health, 2021).

FACT – It is possible to be addicted to prescription drugs like any other substance.

When someone uses a prescription outside of a doctor’s recommendation, it can have dangerous consequences (Mayo Clinic, 2018). This is drug abuse (Hilmas, 2018). Some people think they are safe because they come from a pharmacy, but that is incorrect. While prescription drugs are safe for the person who has been prescribed the medication, it is not safe for others to use without doctor assessment and recommendation. People who abuse prescription drugs often do so for fun, better studying, to fit in, or lose weight. They often use them because they can be easier to obtain than illicit or street drugs. There are several dangers of abusing prescription medications, such as addiction, overdose, heart failure, seizures, and slowed heart rate. Complications increase when prescription drugs are mixed with other substances such as alcohol.

FACT – Relapse is common in recovery. 

Addictions can cause changes in a person’s brain which may impact self-control and the capability not to act on cravings. It is important to work on relapse prevention during recovery because the risk of relapse can be high (American Addictions Centers, 2021). Without relapse prevention, it can be very challenging to abstain from the substance or behaviour to which the person is addicted. If relapse does occur, it is important to seek help. It is not hopeless. There are ways to work to prevent relapse. It takes time and effort, but it is possible.

FACT – Treatment is not simply one size fits all. There are many types of treatments for addiction.

There are many different types of treatments to help someone with an addiction. Typically, treatment starts with detoxification and managing withdrawal symptoms (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020).

Treatment can be:

• Long-term residential treatment
• Short-term residential treatment
• Outpatient treatment programs
• Individualized drug counselling
• Group counselling

It is about finding what works best as everyone is different.

FACT – Medication can help a person cope with the withdrawal symptoms and make it easier to stay sober (Juergens, 2021).

Medication to treat addiction is used under the supervision of a doctor. The medication helps to treat withdrawal symptoms. There are different types of medications to help with different substance addictions. It is safest and easiest to seek treatment for addiction with the help of a medical professional (Juergens, 2021).

Seeking help from a professional is very important when recovering from an addiction. Otherwise, a person can replace one addiction for another, like trying to quit drinking and switching to marijuana or vice versa.

FACT – In addition to being addicted to substances, a person can be addicted to a behaviour or action.

People have long accepted addictions to substances. They are well-known, but addictions to actions are lesser known. Behavioural addictions can be to activities such as food, gaming, social media, the internet, and shopping (Smith, 2021). The person can feel calm or happy when they do the activity they are addicted to. Addictions to substances and actions have similar characteristics, like increased tolerance, cravings, change in mood, issues with relationships, and a hard time controlling or stopping the behaviour (Alavi et al., 2012). Behavioural addictions do not have physical symptoms like substance addictions.