Does Addiction Carry a Stigma?

The Most Stigmatized Behavior

Research studies show that the majority of people in treatment for substance abuse or alcohol abuse have felt the stigma of addiction. In fact, the stigma of drug abuse is more prevalent than the stigma against race or ethnicity, social class, jobs, or even sexual orientation.

This stigma is difficult for an addict to overcome because it is so pervasive. In the not-too-distant past, mental health workers, psychiatrists, and psychologists believed that addiction represented a failure of character or weakness. It was believed if someone could just focus and work harder that their addiction could be overcome. People who couldn’t stop using alcohol or drugs were seen as useless.

Even if an addict went into treatment, people still stigmatized them because they believed that they were too weak to stay away from drugs and alcohol or they would relapse quickly. When addicts successfully exited recovery, people immediately assumed they would go back to using.

Types of Stigma Addicts Face

Addicts can face several types of stigma around their drug or alcohol abuse. First, they may feel public stigma, which is characterized by stereotyping. All addicts are not equal. Second, people in drug or alcohol treatment can face institutional stigma from government agencies because of their drug use. This type of stigma may hinder people from getting jobs or other services, including benefits and housing. People in treatment for drug or alcohol addiction may even face stigma from healthcare professionals who don’t understand that addiction is a disease.

If you have an addiction disorder and a mental illness, you may face even more stigma because the public misunderstands both mental illness and drug addiction. In reality, mental illness and drug addiction often go hand in hand, as addicts try to self-medicate their mental illnesses to feel better.

Why Recognizing Stigma is Important

If an addict faces stigma, it can derail their treatment. That’s why it is so important to stand up to stigma. There are several ways SCA Recovery can work with you to battle the effects of stigma. First, we equip you with a connection. If addiction is isolating, connections allow you to surround yourself with people who care about you regardless of your addiction. You can connect with people who understand your journey. Second, we work with you to find your purpose. We believe that everyone has a purpose, and when you find yours, you find direction. Direction and purpose act together to combat stigma. Third, while stigma assumes you can’t persevere against addiction, SCA Recovery gives you tools to tackle stress when it occurs and emerge from the challenges in control.

When you are ready to get beyond your addiction and release yourself from the chains of stigma, drug use, and alcohol abuse, you need supportive people in your corner. At SCA Recovery, we surround you with a caring, professional, and therapeutic environment without judgment. We accept you and your addiction the way you are and work with you to help you transcend your addiction and forge a new path of purposeful living. Why not reach out to us today?