We are often misled by what we see and by what we have been taught by society to believe about an addict. It is important for us to constantly challenge our perceptions and open our eyes to what is going on around us.
In a previous blog discussing the Disease of Addiction, I touched on how an addict behaves as a response to the various stigmas placed on addiction and addicts themselves. Stigma and shame are major barriers to recovery. When individuals struggling with addiction face negative labels, discrimination, and judgement, they often feel isolated and reluctant to seek help.
Definitions
Let’s define what a stigma is and discuss the ways they make us think about addicts/addiction and the effects they can have on addicts and their loved ones. Stigma refers to the negative attitudes and stereotypes associated with a behavior or characteristic of a person, these attitudes and stereotypes create a sense of shame and isolation for those who exhibit these behaviors or characteristics.
We must also define shame; shame is important for this topic because it is the most common emotion experienced by those that are subjected to stigma. Shame is a deep feeling of guilt and inadequacy that results from internalizing negative judgments about oneself. Stigma and shame are intertwined, with stigma contributing to shame, and shame reinforcing or perpetuating the behaviors that lead to the stigma.
STEREOTYPES AND STIGMA
There are many ways in which stigmas are born and take root within us. One of the most potent sources of stigma are stereotypes. Stereotypical behaviors exhibited by those struggling with addiction over time have the potential to turn into stigma which are then further perpetuated by each repetition on the stereotypical behavior.
One of the most common stereotypes associated with addiction is that it is a moral failing or a lack of willpower. This belief implies that individuals who struggle with addiction are somehow weak or flawed, which is not only inaccurate but also harmful. The reality is that addiction is a chronic disease that affects the brain's chemistry and is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, and trauma.
For more information on the various types of stigma, their effects and how to combat them follow this link: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination
How are stigmas formed
What I have come to discover is that, often these stigmas are not necessarily spoken about openly amongst friends and family members. Rather they come out as small comments made by those closest to us in response to or regarding an addict’s behavior when we are exposed to them. Personal biases formed by us in response to our own experiences with addicts appear to be the key drivers of this way of thinking.
It is important for us to remember that addiction is a disease. I have discussed this previously in my The Disease of Addiction blog post. We should not dehumanize the addict because of this, rather we should view them as a patient requiring treatment as we would any individual with any other disease.
Stigmas are incredibly powerful because they enable us to lose sight of the individual, by categorizing people into a group. We should always be mindful of our own attitudes toward people and avoid being swept away with the crowd or mob mentality. Which (if any) stigmas do we express toward our loved ones? When we express these beliefs are they truly our own or are we simply conforming to societal biases without pausing to think about the specific individual we are referring to?
It is vital that we make the effort to monitor our responses and attitudes toward stigmas on a societal level. Do we keep quiet? Do we challenge misconceptions when we hear them being discussed? Are we able to look past the stigma surrounding an individual and their behavior?
Recognizing our own stigmas about addiction and understanding that addiction is an Illness, will allow us as carers and family members to access support and shatter the secrecy that surrounds addiction. Dealing with the shame and guilt associated with these situations allows for all those that have been affected to heal.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS OF THOSE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION
Due to the effect of stigma and stereotypes society has come to hold certain beliefs around those that struggle with addiction. Addiction is a widespread disease and its hold on those struggling with it can be hidden quite well. Below is a table that should help to illustrate this. The orange section represents some of the perceptions of addicts held by society, while the green side represents some of examples of addicts that I have come across over the course of my career.
Here’s some more examples of common misconceptions about addicts and addiction in general: https://www.verywellmind.com/misconceptions-about-substance-abuse-4117518
WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF STIGMA ON INDIVIDUALS?
We’ve already discussed how powerful stigma and shame can be on an individual; however, their detrimental effects on an addict attempting recovery are magnified. From the onset of attempting recovery, right throughout the years of being in recovery, stigma and shame are some of the most impactful forces an addict will have to combat daily.
Shame and stigma can prevent individuals from seeking help in the first place. When society stigmatizes addiction, individuals are more likely to hide their struggles for fear of being judged or discriminated against. Stigma and shame in combination can create a powerful feeling of embarrassment, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem, and a lack of motivation to seek treatment. These feelings are also potent enough to trigger a powerful emotional downward spiral, which can lead an addict to relapse.
The stigma associated with addiction and addicts can also lead to mistreatment of the addict in more areas of their lives than just their interpersonal relationships. Stigma can also impact the quality of care and support that individuals receive during treatment. When addiction is stigmatized, it can result in substandard care, discrimination, and neglect.
Individuals who are stigmatized may be treated with contempt or disdain by healthcare providers, making them feel unworthy and increasing their sense of isolation. This can be further perpetuated by the police, government, and other authority figures if we lose sight of the addict as an individual and rather allow stigma to cause us to view them as nothing more than the symptoms of their disease.
WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS STIGMA CAN IMPOSE ON FAMILIES?
The effects of stigma and shame are not limited to individuals struggling with addiction. Their families and loved ones can, unfortunately, also be subjected to them. Family members of those with addiction often feel isolated and ashamed, leading to a sense of powerlessness and an inability to seek support. This can also foster feelings of blame and resentment toward the addict, further fueling the stigmas surrounding their behavior.
The build-up of blame, shame and resentment can also cause loved ones to start seeing the addiction as the root cause of all their own behavior, which can blind them to anything else in the life of the addict that could be causing or, at the very least, compounding onto the addiction, leading to their negative behaviors. The impact of stigma and shame can be so significant that it often prevents family members from speaking out or seeking help, which can make the situation worse for everyone involved.
CAN STIGMA NEGATIVELY AFFECT SOCIETY?
Society also bears the costs of the stigma surrounding addiction. Stigma contributes to social inequality, resulting in job loss, housing insecurity, and limited access to healthcare. All these factors can compound together to further drive an addict deeper into their addiction, further perpetuating the cycle of addiction.
HOW CAN WE COMBAT THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF STIGMA?
We’ve already discussed how addiction is a disease that affects more than just the addict, its effects extend out and touch the addict’s family, friends, and work environment. We’ve even seen that the effects of addiction can be so far reaching that it even has the potential to spread its influence over society as a whole. To combat addiction effectively we must first learn how to arm ourselves against stigma.
There are several paths to combat the negative effects of stigma and shame in the process of recovery. One of the most effective ‘weapons’ in the battle against stigma is to increase public awareness and education about addiction. By educating the public about the nature of addiction, it becomes easier to understand and empathize with those who struggle with it.
It is also essential to promote more compassionate and understanding attitudes towards addiction and those who struggle with it. This can be achieved by focusing on the person, not the addiction, and by emphasizing the need for support, and understanding, rather than judgement and criticism. Note that I am not suggesting we explain away negative behavior, but rather we open the door to discussing the personal, unique experiences and factors that lead to the individual’s descent into addiction and the negative behaviors that followed. This would only work once the addict has accepted personal responsibility and accountability for their actions. I am suggesting that we build an environment of understanding, not excusing.
For more information on how to combat stigma follow this link: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/stigma-of-addiction/
HOW TO ARM OURSELVES AGAINST STIGMA?
On a more micro level the first step for addicts and their families, in preparation for undertaking the trials of recovery, is to educate themselves about addiction and the potential effects of stigma. Focusing on the disease of addiction and its impact on the brain and behavior. This knowledge will help them understand that addiction is not a choice or a moral failing but a treatable disease that requires professional help. By understanding the science of addiction, they can also better understand the irrational beliefs and stereotypes that drive stigma. This understanding will also help foster a system of compassion and understanding for those close to the addict, as they are better able to empathize with them.
SEEK SUPPORT
The next step is to seek support from others who have experienced addiction. There are many support groups available, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), which provide a safe and supportive environment for people in recovery. These groups offer a non-judgmental space where people can share their experiences and receive emotional support from others who understand what they are going through. It is important for both addicts and their loved ones to not only know that they are not alone, but that this problem is not exclusive to them. Hearing the successes and failings of others that have undertaken the journey, and trials of recovery, can be both comforting and motivating for all involved. I cannot emphasize enough how powerful sharing in each other’s successes and struggles can be.
SELF CARE AND WELLBEING
It is also essential for those suffering with addiction and their loved ones to focus on their own mental and emotional health. Addiction can be a stressful and emotionally draining experience, and it is important for individuals to take care of themselves. This can include seeking professional help, such as therapy or counselling, to address the emotional impact of addiction and stigma. Please ensure that you seek help from a professional that has specialized in the field of addiction when doing so. Additionally, practicing self-care, such as exercise, meditation, and mindfulness, can help individuals manage stress and improve their mental and emotional well-being.
CREATE A PLAN AND A CRISIS PLAN
Finally, it is important for addicts and their support network to have a plan in place for managing stigma and seeking help. This can include identifying supportive friends and family members, seeking out professional treatment options, and having a crisis plan in case of relapse or other emergencies. By having a plan in place, individuals can feel more empowered and in control of their recovery journey. A relapse or other emergency situations can be a race against the clock to either mitigate the extent of the potential damage, avoid it entirely or save the addict’s life. Having emergency and contingency plans in place can be the key factor in saving the life of the addict and arm any loved ones involved with enough on hand information to act accordingly.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, stigma and shame have a devastating impact on the process of recovery from addiction. They create a sense of isolation, shame, and hopelessness, which can prevent individuals from seeking help and further perpetuate the cycle of addiction. However, there are steps that individuals can take to arm themselves against the effects of stigma. This includes educating themselves about addiction, seeking support from others, challenging stigma, focusing on mental and emotional health, and having a plan in place for managing stigma and seeking help.
It is essential to increase public awareness and education about addiction, promote more compassionate and understanding attitudes towards addiction, and provide adequate funding for research and treatment programs. Only by working together to combat stigma and shame can we create a societal environment that is supportive and understanding of those who struggle with addiction.
Remember, that at the end of the day, your wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of the addict is far more important than the stigmas perpetuated through a lack of understanding. Reach out, ask for help, you are not alone.
Take care of you,
Toni
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