The Stigma of Addiction: An Invisible Obstacle in Treatment and Recovery
Addiction is a disorder that involves a psychological urge or need to use or abuse substances like drugs and alcohol or engage in reckless behaviors that produce natural rewards despite the negative consequences.
Breaking the cycle of addiction can be challenging, but it is possible. Individuals struggling with addiction have to take the time to establish a new lifestyle. They have to learn new and healthier coping mechanisms, rebuild or make new connections with family and friends, and try to navigate being bored or relapsing.
There are many challenges that people with addiction will face, even in the recovery process. There’s another invisible obstacle for people struggling with addiction: the stigma of addiction. Let’s learn more about this and how it impacts someone in the treatment and recovery process.
What is the Stigma of Addiction?
There is a stigma or negative attitude, discrimination, labeling, and stereotyping that comes along with addiction. This stigma can impact people who have a substance use disorder, or even those who use drugs but do not have an addiction. This stigma can impact one's overall mental health and well-being, and can even prevent individuals from seeking the treatment they need and deserve. Three types of stigma are associated with addiction:
Self Stigma
Internalizing negative messaging about people who use drugs
Not seeking support due to shame or judgment
Low self-esteem
Hiding drug use or isolating oneself from using drugs
Social Stigma
Negative attitudes about people who use drugs or their loved ones
Negative labels in the media
Thinking that addiction is a choice
Judging and discriminating against individuals struggling with addiction
Structural Stigma
Refusing to provide care or services until one's drug use is more under control
Healthcare professionals not taking people who use drugs seriously
Strict workplace policies that make employees feel the need to hide or prevent seeking support
Lower quality of care when medical services are needed
The Cause
Unfortunately, this stigma occurs within the general public and within the medical field, such as with health care professionals. The main cause of the stigma of addiction is due to the belief that addiction is a personal choice and reflects someone's lack of willpower and self-control. This belief also suggests that a person struggling with addiction doesn't have strong morals. In reality, addiction is caused by life events, environmental factors, mental well-being, biology, and genetics.
The Impact
People struggling with addiction are already facing their own internal battles, as well as the negative impacts that their illness has on other areas of their lives. The stigma of addiction just leads to those struggling with addiction having low self-esteem, feeling discriminated against, and failing to seek the proper help and treatment when they're ready to seek support. Here are some of the ways stigma can impact a person struggling with addiction:
Ability to find a career
Ability to find housing
Avoiding support and/or treatment
Fear of being judged or getting in trouble
Health problems
Hiding their drug use
Lower quality of medical care
Quality of life struggles
How to Reduce Stigma
It's important not to be another obstacle in someone's journey to treatment and recovery. These are some of the ways that you can reduce the stigma of addiction:
Awareness of your attitude and behavior
Educate yourself, your family and friends
Challenge negative stereotypes
Change how you talk about drug use and abuse
Become an advocate for fair quality and care when it comes to treatment
Know that addiction is a medical condition, not a choice
Consider the person, not the disease
Treat everyone with compassion and respect
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or if you're interested in learning more about how you can be a better advocate, reach out to us today to set up a consultation for addiction treatment.
