We’ve discussed before on this blog how the negative addiction stigma can be a major obstacle for those seeking help for substance abuse. Despite the fact that the American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as a “primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuity,” our society still tends to stigmatize addiction as a character flaw or moral failing.
A current example, written about by Deni Carise, is Lindsay Lohan’s recent appearance on The Letterman Show. Despite David Letterman having admitted on his show a while back that he was an alcoholic, he perpetuated the addiction stigma by mocking and making jokes to Lohan’s face regarding her struggles with substance abuse. Carise writes, “Rest assured if you are famous, the media will crucify you if you relapse.” She adds, “Given our current preoccupation with disastrous lifestyles and recovery failures, the mistaken belief that those addicted to drugs or alcohol never get better or are in some way weak or forever damaged, and the ongoing stigma surrounding addiction — perpetuated by the very people who should know better — is it any wonder why so many are silent about their recovery?” And while the government agrees that addiction is a disease, the efforts of the “War on Drugs” still classifies most drug users as criminals.
In America, there are more than 21 million people who suffer from substance abuse. According to the American Society of Addiction, “The idea that those with addictive disorders are weak, deserving of their fate and less worthy of care is so inextricably tied to our zeitgeist that it’s impossible to separate addiction from shame and guilt.”
The Fix gives 8 reasons as to why the addiction stigma exists:
- People fail to see treatment (largely in part to the addiction stigma already in place).
- Medical professions fail to treat addicts properly.
- Mental health professions ostracize people with addictive disorders.
- Funding for addiction treatment is discriminatory.
- Addicts get sent to jail.
- Even when people do get to treatment, stigmatization can continue and contribute to poor treatment outcomes.
- People in recovery are always under suspicion.
- Addicts in recovery face stigma-based roadblocks constantly.
It’s important to remember, Deni Carise says, “contrary to popular belief, more stints in rehab actually predict treatment success, not treatment failure.”
