Whole-Life Recovery: What People Need to Know
How we think about substance use disorder is often based on misconceptions that we now know simply are not true. Use this resource to consider seven common outdated beliefs and learn the truths at the heart of Whole Life Recovery.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Develops Differently for Everyone
Misconception: Addiction happens suddenly to “certain kinds” of people.
Truth: It’s often a slow, almost imperceptible shift triggered by a combination of things: stress, trauma, genetics, environmental pressures or medical prescriptions that, over time, create dependence.
”Most people don’t set out to develop SUD. Different people respond differently to drug use. For many, it’s a gradual process that can be hard to see until it’s taken hold.”
Why this matters: It’s hard to know how drug use will affect someone. Early recognition makes change easier. Waiting makes it harder.