The addiction and disorder crisis in Canada is a pressing issue, and the conventional wisdom surrounding how to solve it is dangerously flawed. For decades, three pervasive myths have shaped the way we view addiction and, consequently, how we approach policy making. These myths have not only perpetuated harm and suffering, but they have allowed society to remain complacent while people in desperate need of help continue to spiral through the gates of insanity or death. This, while the rest of us navigate a worsening machete-wielding scene to get to the grocery store. If we are to confront addiction effectively and promote a healthier, more compassionate community, these myths must be dismantled. The truth is that addiction is not a moral failing or an inevitable path to self-destruction — it is a treatable illness that requires intervention, compassion and strong community boundaries.