Whether you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, researching is an excellent way to educate yourself on the subject to deeper understand the disease. However, addiction is widely stigmatized, with an abundance of misinformation floating around. Therefore, you risk gaining your information from unreliable sources that do more harm than good. When educating yourself about addiction, you want the best information available to help you find the next steps for you or a loved one, but you may not know how to find reliable sources.
Researching is a skill that can take time to learn, but fortunately, there are ways to learn it quickly. When you begin researching addiction and recovery, consider these tips to get the most reliable information.
One of the best ways to ensure you are getting the most reliable information is by going to a primary source. There are two kinds of sources, primary and secondary. Primary sources are the original publications or first-hand accounts that have posted the information. Secondary sources are content that involves interpretations, analyses, or evaluation of primary sources. Primary sources will ensure you are getting the facts without someone else’s opinion on the matter. Even if there are opinions shared, it will be more evident within the primary source. Checking the publication date is a direct way to tell what source you are using.
The internet is open to anyone for use, meaning that anyone can post anything they want. It is okay to read posts by others that aren’t doctors or experts in their field, but you must take the information with a grain of salt.
When you are looking for essential information concerning addiction, though, it is best to read publications posted by doctors or other experts in the field. A reliable publication should post the author’s name and title, allowing you to search these to ensure the person is real and has the credentials they say they do. Usually, you can verify a person’s credentials reasonably quickly if the source is legitimate. Doing so will ensure you are getting the most factual information available.
While Google is an excellent resource for everyday searches, it doesn’t always produce the most reliable results. If you want to ensure that each result you see is reliable, using Google Scholar can help you with this process. However, it is crucial to remember that Google Scholar will pull up more academic sources, so be prepared to read heavy-handed literature. This literature can be helpful, though, because it allows you to see new studies and peer-reviewed journals that give you helpful information regarding addiction.
A URL, also known as a web address, can indicate the type of organization that sponsors a particular website. You can examine the URL to ensure you are on an unbiased website supported by educational institutions, the government, or other credible professional organizations. You can also look around the website, such as the “About Us” section, to learn more about the website’s and organization’s purpose. Use the following list to recognize trusted URLs:
Avoid “.com” sites, as these are most commonly personal websites that may post unreliable information.
Due to the widespread reach of addiction across the US, various government organizations and websites post up-to-date, reliable information. Many treatment centers around the country use these websites when researching content for their own publications. You can find lists of these websites at www.drugabuse.gov. You can also refer to this list for future reference:
Finding reliable information regarding addiction is crucial for you and your loved ones. Misinformation can cause more harm to an already challenging situation, so you must learn how to conduct proper research that leads you to reliable information. There are various factors to consider, but luckily you can know how to do this in a reasonable amount of time. At NorthStar Transitions, we understand the value of reliable research regarding sensitive topics like addiction and mental health. For this reason, we offer programs for individuals close to patients to learn more about addiction and recovery. If you are struggling to find reliable information about addiction, we are always here to help you. Our facility is also open to helping you or your loved one recover from addiction. Through traditional and holistic wellness programs, we believe in making a difference that leads to long-term sobriety. Call us today to learn more at (303) 558-6400.
