Stigmas Series: Addiction

Addiction is one of the most widespread health issues the world is currently facing. It affects just about everyone, by either directly impacting day to day life for addicts or off-handedly swaying the lives of addicts’ loved ones.

If you struggle with addiction, know that you are not alone.

While worldwide studies on addiction are fairly limited, a recent study by Australian researchers points out just how common addiction is. Their findings point out that 240 million people around the world are alcohol dependant, over one billion people smoke, and roughly 15 million people inject heavy drugs, like heroin.

Furthermore, over 400 million people are currently addicted to the internet. As new technology such as virtual and augmented reality evolves, these numbers will likely only continue to grow.

Addiction is everywhere. Yet addicts are still judged, criticized, stigmatized, and criminalized far too frequently.

Addiction Stigmas and Misconceptions

Many people who are not addicted struggle to comprehend why addicts become so entangled in their dependencies. It’s not an easy thing for anyone to wrap their head around, even those struggling with their vices.

Still, we must all remember that addiction is an illness. Those affected do not wish to be so stuck in addictive tendencies, they are suffering and battling addictive binds.   

An article titled The Stigma of Drug Addiction touches on this subject perfectly:

“Substance addiction, just like any other medical disease, does not discriminate and further, shows no mercy to its victim. It is a chronic disease that is biopsychosocial in nature and demands the assistance of a wide range of professionals experienced in treating psychological and emotional issues promoting addictive behaviors.

Following detoxification, intense counseling, psychoeducation and therapy involving enhancement of coping skills so that relapse may be prevented, recovering addicts must re-enter society as sober, productive individuals who hopefully have a renewed sense of meaning, purpose and understanding regarding their disease.”

While it may be easier for some people to blame the addicts themselves, and justify their problems as a byproduct of laziness or simply ‘not caring,’ this is a damaging outlook. Addiction is a serious chronic disease, and should be viewed as such by everyone. Stigmas and misconceptions are based on assumptions made without foundational insight. These mindsets are only getting in the way and causing further problems for addicts.

Those with drinking problems are not always ‘closet-drinkers’. They don’t always isolate themselves or their alcoholism so it may be difficult for others to detect. Most addicts are able to hold down jobs as well.

Assuming that addicts must hit ‘rock bottom’ is a dangerously slippery slope of a thought process. Rock bottom could be mean overdose or death. In an ideal setting addicts will be able to seek assistance before hitting the lowest of the lows.

We must all be careful about the ways in which we talk about addiction. Joking about such serious matters is backtracking. These types of jokes are unfortunately still very common in mainstream culture. People can do their part by refraining from joking about such serious matters and opening up their minds to view addiction from all angles and perspectives.

Criminalization Vs. Treatment

Another major hurdle for addicts are the legal implications. When addicts are caught by police and incriminated, a vicious circle usually proceeds.

Homelessness is something that many addicts commonly face as many addicts who are arrested lose their homes. When people who are addicted to substances are given a criminal record in addition to everything they are dealing with, their problems become more widespread. Finding a place to live, even at shelters, becomes nearly impossible after being arrested and charged with crimes.

All of this negativity makes addiction even less manageable.

However, there are options other than incarceration. Programs such as counseling, halfway houses, group therapy, and other drug and alcohol programs have proven to be much more effective in addiction management. Outlook for those who get involved in programs like these are far greater than simply throwing people in a locked cell.

Addiction Looks Different For Everyone

The weight is of addiction is heavy for most everyone. People may be comfortable openly conversing about their addiction or it may be a person’s deepest, darkest, secret. In order to avoid projecting stigmas and misconceptions, we must all remember that there is no explained formula for addiction.

Addiction looks different from person to person. So negative assumptions should never be made. Acceptance, compassion, and remaining open-minded about addiction and corollary treatment is the way to start battling these stigmas. It’s only through positive change that we can all do our part in understanding and assisting those who are addicted.