Education and Awareness: Misconceptions about addiction and recovery
- lynneburns5
- Nov 20, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
There are many misconceptions about addiction and recovery that exist in our society, communities, and even our own families and friend groups. Let us discuss two major misconceptions here:
Misconception 1: Addiction is a lack of willpower and indicates a lack of moral principles
Throughout history these ideas have been accepted as truths. We are fortunate to be in a time when medical science has revealed that addiction is in fact a brain disease, not a moral failing or lack of willpower.
SAMSHA defines addiction as “a chronic disease where people compulsively seek and use drugs despite harmful consequences. Repeated drug use changes the brain, making it hard to resist intense cravings. These changes can persist, which is why addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease—people may return to drug use even after long periods of sobriety. Relapse is common, but doesn’t mean treatment failed. Like other chronic illnesses, addiction treatment must be ongoing and adapted to fit the person’s needs.”
One of the goals of Recovery Coaching is to help Recoverees let go of these misconceptions around addiction and embrace this current definition of addiction. This shift can help Recoverees reduce their shame and rebuild self esteem, which is vital to maintaining recovery.
Resources to Explore:
This misconception is an especially pervasive one because it not only exists in society, but also in many abstinence based recovery modalities (although I have seen this beginning to shift and change).
Recovery is defined by SAMSHA as “A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.”.
What stands out to me is the fact that alcohol and other addictive drugs are not mentioned in this definition. As a trained Recovery Coach, I 100% embrace this definition and see recovery as a journey which may or may not include abstinence.
I support and guide Recoverees based on their own goals which might include abstinence, moderation management, or harm reduction (finding safer ways to use a drug of choice and/or reduce overall use).
Recoverees may also have different goals with different substances. These goals can also be changed or shifted as the Recoveree progresses in their recovery and decides goals need to be updated.
The job of a Recovery Coach is to support the Recoveree in the goals they have created for themselves with unconditional positive regard and an understanding that every person’s goals with be different and individual.
Resources to Explore:
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