The Stigma of Addiction: Destigmatising Addiction

Those of us who are in recovery know that addiction has nothing to do with our moral values or character as human beings. Nevertheless, there still exist many negative and powerful perceptions – or stigmas – commonly associated with compulsive drug use and alcoholic behaviours. 

Stigma and Discrimination Associated with Drug and Alcohol Addiction

People who struggle with alcohol and drug addiction face different kinds of stigma, which can make them hesitant to receive proper treatment. By knowing these harmful perceptions, we can slowly reduce stigma and help people with addiction heal and recover. 

The Addict Is Weak or Flawed

When people view alcohol or drug abuse as a character flaw, they’re quick to judge the person struggling. This can stigmatise the disorder and lead to a wide range of consequences. It can be very damaging to an addict’s self-esteem, and if they’re trying to get sober or stay sober, it’s also quite disheartening and discouraging. Additionally, it can impact a person’s decision to get sober in the first place, for fear of being judged. 

People with Substance Use Disorders Make Poor Choices

This presupposes that we choose addiction. We don’t. Addiction is, for all intents and purposes, a disease. But we don’t choose it, and the fact that we suffer from it has no bearing on our character and does not indicate poor decision-making skills. It just IS. 

Health professionals recognise addiction as a complex mental illness and not a moral failing. Attributing drug and alcohol dependence to poor choices ignores the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to its development and perpetuation.

Addicts Are Poor, Uneducated, or Come From Broken Homes

This might be true for some people with substance use disorder, but the fact is, we come from all walks of life. Many of us are doctors or lawyers, many are artists, and many come from wonderfully loving homes. And, yes, some of us might be jobless or homeless, and we may have had challenging upbringings, just like other people. 

The point is that once you remove addiction from the equation, we’re no different from the rest of the global population. Addiction doesn’t discriminate, and the perceived notion that it does just perpetuates the stigma surrounding it. 

Using the Term Getting “Clean” to Describe Sobriety

Unfortunately, the word “clean”, when used about sobriety, can lead many non-addicts to think that addiction is, in fact, “dirty,” so addicts must be “dirty” as well. Perhaps we need to ditch the term.

Or maybe we can just encourage the people around us to have a more open mind without getting caught up in the semantics. For the record, addicts aren’t dirty – at least, not by default. If they are dirty, it’s just a hygiene issue. It’s not addiction that’s responsible in and of itself. 

In that same vein, some people, even in the recovery community, have chosen to discard any sobriety jargon that might be perceived negatively. You’ll find many sober people who work in solid recovery programmes but refuse to identify as addicts or alcoholics because they feel these terms have a negative connotation.

Or, they don’t like using words like “clean” to describe their recovery. This is okay. It all boils down to what works best for the individual. 

How Can We Reduce the Stigma of Addiction?

We can fight the stigma surrounding addiction by working together. If someone you know, care about, or love is struggling with addiction, keep an open mind. Maintain healthy boundaries, but don’t walk away if you can help.

Here are some ways you can effectively reduce the stigma around substance abuse:

Speak Out Against Stigma

Encourage others around you to do the same, and if you hear someone talking negatively about addiction, thus perpetuating the stigma, speak up. Understand the science, and don’t make the mistaken assumption that addiction is a choice.

Numerous studies have shown that addiction behaves like a disease, so consider looking at it from a different perspective. Would you treat a good friend poorly if he or she were in pain because of a chronic or debilitating illness? Probably not. 

Recognise That Addiction Is a Complex Health Condition

Leave behind old ideas. Once upon a time, there was a public health campaign making its rounds at schools and colleges with the slogan “Just say no.” Maybe you remember it. The intent behind the campaign was positive – to keep kids off drugs, encouraging them to say “no”.

We understand now, however, that it’s not that easy. Again, addiction isn’t a choice, and it’s a lot more complex than we realised in the past. The rising number of opioid addiction cases, for example, doesn’t have as much to do with poor decision-making as it does with doctors prescribing medication they claim to be safe. 

Support Loved Ones Without Shame

To those of you out there who have a best friend, a significant other, a family member, a peer, a neighbour, or anyone in your life who struggles with addiction, remember they didn’t choose it. Finally, people with addiction can and do recover, but practising kindness, compassion, and open-mindedness is the best thing that you can do to help. 

Overcome Substance Use Disorder with Kembali

If you or someone you know and love is struggling with alcohol and other drugs, Kembali Recovery Centre can help. Our counsellors and staff offer professional and effective treatment for people struggling with substance abuse. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. Remember, you never have to do this alone. We have a team that’s more than happy to welcome patients with substance use disorders so that they can live healthier and more fulfilling lives.