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12 INTERVENTION AND RECOVERY

Despite this, the popularity of rehab stories in the media has led to many myths and misinformation. On television, images of plush rehab centers often glamorize treatment, making it seem more like a vacation than a form of medical care. Scenes of group-based therapies, where counselors, friends, and fellow patients gather together, can be made to look overly dramatic, like people are more interested in fighting with each other than creating a community of care and support. But rehab is much more complex than what we see in the media. It’s not just one person trying to “conquer” his or her addiction through sheer force of will, but a collaborative effort by many different people using many different treatment procedures. It can be an inspiring journey toward sobriety and a new life, but it can also be the beginning of a long and drawn-out struggle to stay clean.

The media contributes to a myth that “rehab” is a glamorous experience that’s mainly for celebrities. But the reality is quite different.