The stigma of addiction and mental illness is widespread and damaging for those battling addiction. This stigma can persist even in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, adding further challenges. Many people with substance use disorders believe that handling this stigma is as damaging as the addiction itself.
Stigma affects many parts of life, like getting medical help, dealing with the law, relationships, and seeking addiction treatment. To reduce the stigma of addiction, it’s important to learn about and understand addiction to find ways to challenge its stigma.
Stigma Definition
Stigma is defined as the negative stereotypes and beliefs held about people who are dealing with substance use disorders. Even people who have spent years in recovery consider it a mark of disgrace. It often comes from wrong information and assumptions from culture, media, family, and social groups. Some believe addiction is a character flaw, but it’s a disease that can affect anyone, not just a moral failing.
Types of Stigma
Experts use the term “the stigma complex” to explain how stigma connects individuals, society, and institutions. This connection leads to actions, laws, and behaviors that negatively affect people with mental and substance use disorders. The three main types of stigmas include:
Structural Stigma
Structural or institutionalized stigma is when institutions and systems impact daily life, like work, housing, healthcare, and the law. People with addiction may face discrimination in housing, custody battles, legal restrictions, harsher punishments, and inadequate medical care or bias. Even for those in recovery, their previous struggles with addiction can be held against them by people harboring stigmas.
Public Stigma
Public stigma involves how the public views and interacts with people who have substance use disorders. The way the media shows addiction and drug abuse affects how people see it in real life.
Public stigma can intensify structural stigma, isolating and harming people battling addiction. Communities may cut funding for outreach programs or pass laws to stop harm reduction sites or addiction treatment centers from opening. Stigma can change how people interact with first responders, law enforcement, neighbors, and family members. These encounters can feel isolating and dehumanizing.
Self Stigma
Self-stigma is when people have negative views of themselves because of criticism from society and personal challenges. Feeling bad about yourself can hurt your mental health.
It may lead you to use drugs or alcohol to cope. This can worsen the problem. Studies confirm that self-judgment is a significant reason people delay or avoid seeking treatment.
Stigma of Addiction
Stigma envelops addiction in ways that often go unnoticed unless one has personally faced addiction or seen a loved one suffer discrimination due to addiction stigma. In truth, stigma is pervasive, claiming countless lives each year.
Approximately 22 million individuals in the United States, which is one in fourteen adults, are affected by a substance use disorder. Nevertheless, annually, merely around 2.5 million people embark on addiction treatment programs.
Studies show that many people avoid treatment because they worry about how others will view them. Some also hesitate to seek emergency medical care due to past experiences where they felt judged and embarrassed.
Some individuals who are the first to arrive at the scene and onlookers have admitted to pausing before providing assistance to specific instances of drug overdoses because of negative perceptions and apprehension. Health care professionals have also acknowledged that their own biases impact their interactions with patients who have a past of substance abuse or appear to be intoxicated.
The consequences of addiction stigma extend to societal issues as well. People grappling with unaddressed substance use disorders face elevated incidences of homelessness, imprisonment, violence, and self-harm.
Stop the Stigma of Addiction
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) highlights the importance of educating people about addiction. It encourages treating people with great respect and empathy, especially in medical settings and how the media shows them.
We must educate people about addiction and recovery. We need to change our language around addiction because our words matter and affect others.
We must provide more resources and treatments to help with addiction. These actions can lead to significant changes in society and reduce stigma. Although changing society is possible, it happens slowly through committed and thoughtful efforts.
Talking openly and honestly about addiction and recovery is an excellent way to fight against stigma. If you or someone close to you is struggling, sharing personal stories can help. It can break down barriers and negative thoughts
Sharing personal experiences can help us connect and understand each other better. It can also provide comfort and support during difficult times.
Listening with care and giving support can lessen feelings of being alone and stigmas. If you hear wrong ideas about addiction, you should speak up. Sharing correct information can help educate others. It can also help change attitudes towards addiction.
If you are dealing with self-stigma, being kind to yourself and connecting with your support network is important. Recovery takes ongoing effort and self-care. Attending meetings or joining support groups can help disrupt negative thinking patterns and reduce the stigma associated with mental health.
Conquer Addiction Stigma at NATC
Northridge Addiction Treatment Center (NATC) fights addiction stigma by using evidence-based therapy programs and personalized treatment plans. This ensures each resident gets effective and complete drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
At NATC, we help you understand the reasons for your drug addiction, assist you in making positive changes in your life, and offer long-term support for your recovery. Our program enables you to learn, gain confidence, and develop skills to handle any stigmas you may face while recovering.
NATC provides compassionate rehabilitation and effective treatment to eliminate the stigma of substance use disorders and promote long-term recovery. Contact us today.
