Medication can be a helpful component of recovery for many people. However, certain myths about medication can hinder their usefulness or even encourage dangerous use.
To ensure your use of medication is safe and effective, learn to recognize these myths and understand the facts about medication.
Myth #1: Dosage Is Just a Recommendation
A common myth held by many individuals is that the dosage specifications are only recommendations. Many people believe that if you are feeling extra pain or feel you need an extra amount of medication, it is okay to take more than the specified dose. However, taking more than the prescribed or recommended dosage of any medication can lead to serious health problems.
Similarly, many individuals believe that they can stop taking a medication if they feel they are better and no longer need it. This behavior can be dangerous because many medications have negative effects if stopped immediately rather than tapered off gradually under the guidance of a health professional. If you feel you no longer need the medication you are on, discuss it with your doctor and ensure that quitting the use of the medication will not have negative consequences.
The dose and duration of medication greatly affect its impact on the body. Listen to your doctor’s instructions and understand whether you need to take your prescription for a specific time frame or only use the medication as needed.
Myth #2: Prescriptions Are Always Safe
The belief that any medication that has been prescribed to you is safe to take in any amount is incorrect and dangerous. As people are prescribed medication for a specific intent, the use of the medication is likely safe if instructions are properly followed. However, people can abuse prescription medications by not using them for the intended purpose.
To protect your health and safety, ensure that the medication you are taking is being used to help improve your wellness and not as a form of recreation. Overusing medications or taking them for alternative purposes can lead to many dangerous health issues, including addiction. Make sure the prescription is for you and you are only taking the recommended amount to promote the safe use of medication.
Myth #3: Psychological Medications Are Always Harmful
Many people fear taking psychological medications in general because they worry about becoming dependent on them. For some disorders, medication is indeed recommended for long-term use. However, many of these medications are intended to be used only while you work to develop coping skills for your disorder. These should not be medications that you will never be able to quit.
It is important to discuss the desire to stop these medications with your prescribing doctor and follow their recommendations. You do not necessarily have to commit to taking these medications forever, but there is often a period that is necessary to taper off the medication by gradually decreasing the dose. Many psychological medications will cause further issues if immediately stopped. Slowly lowering the amount you take and allowing your body to adjust under the guidance of a professional will allow you to quit the medication safely.
Myth #4: Herbal Supplements and Vitamins Are Always Safe
Herbal supplements are often viewed as a safe medication or substance to use regardless of your health history. Because these supplements are natural, they should have no negative effects, right?
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Each of our bodies reacts to supplements differently. Prior health conditions or other medications may react negatively when combined with herbal supplements or certain vitamins. Discussing all supplements and medications you regularly take with your doctor can help you ensure you are taking medications safely.
Myth #5: If a Medication Worked for My Friend, It Will Work for Me
Some people assume that if a medication worked for someone they know, it will work for them as well. You may have heard from a friend that a certain medication helps them to feel less anxious and reduces their cravings through the recovery process. Hearing about the positive effects of medication on others can help us feel hopeful about the success it might bring to our recovery.
While the hope is not a bad thing, each person’s situation with a mental health disorder or addiction is unique. You may find that a completely different medication or recovery method works better for you. Assuming that the same treatment will work for everyone is a common misunderstanding about how medications work. Your doctors and treatment team can take your situation and health history into account when they recommend medications or treatment programs.
Myth #6: Medicine Is All I Need
A common belief during the recovery process is that the medications will be effective enough that you will not need any other form of treatment. Medications can be used to assist in your recovery, but they cannot treat addiction on their own. It is extremely important to incorporate other aspects of treatment alongside medication into your recovery plan.
A large portion of recovery involves overcoming the compulsion involved with addiction through rewiring your neural pathways. To do this, you change your thought processes to react differently when presented with the substance so that you can first resist and then diminish the felt need to continue using. Medications cannot alter our thoughts this drastically. If medications are part of your treatment plan, use them to assist you while you develop these skills through other treatment methods.
Medication is commonly used to help individuals who have substance use or mental health disorders. Unfortunately, many myths about medication spread inaccurate information about them and can lead to unsafe use. Reviewing these common medication myths can help you ensure you have accurate perceptions regarding the medications you are taking. It is important to understand the importance of dosage recommendations, the necessity of following instructions for prescriptions, the effects of psychological medications, the risks of herbal supplements and vitamins, the different ways the same medication can affect different people, and the need for a treatment plan that goes beyond reliance on medication to recover. Misconceptions about these topics can cause you to not receive the full effects of the medication or experience negative effects due to misuse. To learn more about the common myths about medication, contact Dream Recovery today at (949) 732-1960.
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