There’s a lingering stigma around addiction that never seems to go away. For many people, those who struggle with substance use have a fatal flaw in their character. The reality is that addiction is a chronic disease that can affect anyone from all walks of life.
Many people also fail to realize that addiction is often caused by several factors beyond one’s control. This includes genetics, childhood trauma, environmental factors, and medical conditions. And just like how other illnesses do not choose their victims, addiction doesn’t discriminate by morality, social standing, or class.
Aside from the way others look down on people with a substance use disorder, those who actually suffer from this disease need to battle the stigma they have against themselves. Learning how to fight these misconceptions proves to be one of the most effective strategies in battling addiction, how Society Stigmatizes Addiction.
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Derogatory Terms and Snide Remarks
We all know how words can hurt more than actions. Being emotionally targeted, words can immensely impact how a person feels. Even those who mean well can hurt people suffering from substance use through their choice of language. For instance, many still say abuse instead of use or misuse. There can also be a vast difference between the terms former addict and person in recovery.
Struggle for Opportunity
Rebuilding a life after suffering from addiction can feel like an uphill battle. It’s not uncommon to hear about people in active use struggling to find a job or even throwing themselves back into the dating pool. They experience anxiety because of their history of substance use and past mistakes.
Healthcare Inequality
It’s an unfortunate reality that even professionals contribute to the prevalent stigma around addiction. Healthcare workers may have reservations about patients suffering from substance use. This can lead to misdiagnosis, improper medication, or even getting completely ignored. In such cases, find the courage to advocate for yourself and find healthcare professionals you can fully trust.
Social Isolation
Many people with substance use disorder often experience getting treated as an outcast. Even once close friends and family decide it’s no longer a good idea to be around them. Several misconceptions about addiction are to blame for this stigma. These include viewing those in recovery as weak and morally bankrupt. Many even consider relapse as a failure.
4 Steps to Fighting the Stigma
1. Understand and accept yourself
The first and most crucial step is learning how to fight your internalized stigma. Failing to understand and accept yourself makes it more challenging to end the stigma others may have against you. Take time to self-reflect and get honest with yourself. Be brave enough to know when it’s time to get yourself into an alcohol, drug, and gambling rehab in Brisbane.
2. Find someone to share your experience
Breaking free from the grip of addiction becomes doubly difficult when you can’t talk about it with anyone. Conversations around recovery and rehabilitation with others who don’t understand what you’re going through don’t inspire much hope. HARP Rehab Brisbane recommends that rather than isolating yourself, take a proactive approach and find a recovery community.
3. Educate others
Don’t think that you’re not in a position to educate others just because of your substance use. It’s best to humanize the disease and correct those around you when they use disparaging terms. As more people understand the reality behind addiction, we get closer to de-stigmatizing it altogether.
4. Share messages of positivity
Letting other people know you’re not losing hope can inspire them in their recovery journey. It doesn’t matter if you’re still in the middle of your rehab Brisbane program. The mere act of sharing your positivity is enough to send ripple effects throughout the recovery community.
Stigmatizing addiction is one of the most significant barriers to battling this chronic disease. Putting an end to the many misconceptions about addiction takes a collective effort. It all starts with you and getting the professional help you need. And once you’re ready, advocate for other people in active addiction or recovery. It’s only through being open about addiction that we will all become better at fighting it.
