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Myths and Denial

Day 2 - TND

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Learning Targets

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1. I will understand the common myths that facilitate drug use.

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2. I will be able to explain the four types of denial.

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Define Myth

Myth- Unproven belief or invented story

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Drug Myths are unrealistic beliefs that are used to justify drug use.

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Ex. "It's okay to drive high, because I drive more carefully when I've been smoking weed than I do when I'm not smoking.

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Four Myths of Drug Use

Myth 1: Drug use provides emotional Protection from the outside world.

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  • Is there a small part of this myth that is true?
  • What makes this a myth?
  • What would make people want to use drugs to "emotionally protect" themselves from the outside world?
  • How long does a drug-induced "happiness" usually last?
  • What is the difference between drug-induced "happiness" and natural states of happiness?

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Myth 2: Drugs help people to establish friendships/

  • Is there a small part of this myth that is true? Which part?

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  • What makes this a myth?

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  • What types of friendships are established with drug use?

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  • Is it easier to start conversations and meet new people when high or drunk? Why or why not?

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  • Have you ever been the only sober person around people who are using? How were people behaving differently than when they're sober?

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Myth 3: People get used to a drug.

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  • Is there a small part of this myth that is true? Which part?

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  • What makes this a myth?

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  • What are some examples of getting used to a drug?

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  • How is getting used to a drug a sign of addiction?

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  • Is it a myth that you can get used to other drugs, but not to marijuana? Why or why not?

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Myth 4: Drug use shows independence.

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  • Is there a small part of this myth that is true? Which part?
  • What makes this a myth?
  • What does it really mean to be independent?
  • In what ways do you think you can become dependent on drugs?
  • Do you think the TV shows and movies influence your views on whether drug use shows independence? If so, how?

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Denial

Denial - ignoring consequences that are obivious to others

Examples

"I can quit smoking anytime," but does not or cannot.

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Someone who drinks too much, acts aggressively and thinks others should recognize that he/she was just trying to be funny.

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Someone who drinks a fifth of alcohol or smokes marijuana every day and thinks it is normal behavior.

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Alcohol ounces

253⁄5 fluid ounces

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What do you think?

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What do you think makes a person live in denial?

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What are the benefits of living in denial?

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What does a person get out of it?

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Four Kinds of Denial

Type 1: Drug users frequently blame others or outside social events for their drug use.

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Type 2: Drug users may deny injury from drug use.

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Type 3: Drug users deny their effects on others.

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Type 4: Drug users reinterpret bad things that happen to them, so that they appear to be positive, or at least not so bad.

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Reinterpretation - making negative consequences seem positive

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A MYTH is a false belief that justifies an action; DENIAL is filtering out the negative consequences of a behavior, like drug use, even though they are obvious to others.

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Homework Review

Define Drug Misuse.

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Define Drug Abuse.

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How do drugs enter the body? Four Ways.

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What is the difference between Prescription and OTC?

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Can they be misused or abused?

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Homework

Alcohol

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Read pages p.410-422. Complete P. 423 1-18

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