Addiction Stigma

 

Who just pitched a perfect game against substance abuse stigma?

The stigma surrounding substance abuse and addiction is so strong in our society that we rarely think of a successful person as someone who could struggle, even though they are just as likely. The negative stigma continues to perpetuate false stereotypes, and in return, reinforces behavior of stress, fear, denial and secrecy. All of which exacerbate the problem and stand in the way of people getting help.

Let’s take a quick look at some baseball facts:

In 2001, CC Sabathia was the youngest player in the major leagues (after being awarded Minor League Player of the Year in 2000). He’s played for some of the top MLB teams. In 2008, he signed what was at the time the largerst contract for a pitcher in MLB history for the New York Yankees. He’s been an invaluable player since. In 2009, he was the Opening Day starter and that year won his first championship ring with the Yankees. He also won the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award. By the end of 2014 season, he was one of the more sucessful pitchers from a hitting standpoint. And his ability to pitch a high number of effective innings each season has some broadcasters calling him the “workhorse.” He is the very definition of success in this country: determined and hard-working. Read more →

Middle-Aged Women and Prescription Drug Overdoses: A Spike in an Unlikely Demographic

This month Trust for America’s Health released a report that showed deaths involving prescription drug overdoses has quadrupled in the past decade. More people are dying from prescription drug overdoses than heroin and cocaine combined. And in 29 states,  more people are dying from prescription drug overdoses than from automobile accidents. This incredible spike primarily involves prescription drug painkillers like OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, Darvocet, Lortab, Lorcet, Methadone, Opana, and oxymorphone. And the problem is only getting worse.

But what is even more surprising is the demographic that we are seeing the largest spike in prescription drug overdoses: middle-aged women (aged 45-54), particularly painkillers. When one thinks of the typical demographic of dying drug abusers, it’s not middle-aged women: mothers, sisters, wives and daughters. And yet these numbers are rapidly rising. Read more →

Many people wonder, who becomes an addict? The truth is, addiction does not discriminate. It doesn’t matter someone’s age, race, gender, financial background or social status. As was the case for Christina Huffington, the 24-year-old daughter of the editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post and prominent spokesperson, Arianna Huffington. Christina Huffington has recently spoken out about her struggles with addiction (primarily cocaine), an eating disorder, and anxiety (It is not uncommon for someone to suffer with more than one addiction, secondary addictions such as an eating disorder, or other disorders). Read more →

One of the top reasons why an individual won’t seek help is the addiction stigma. People are reluctant to enter treatment in fear of what their family, friends or coworkers might perceive about them. Stigma also impedes those already in recovery and distances those who advocate for addiction groups. So what are some ways in which we can fight the addiction stigma?

First let’s address what the addiction stigma is. There is a misperception that an addict or someone suffering from substance abuse is automatically a character-flawed, weak-willed person, who is immoral, bad, or a failure. Often times it’s this perceived negative stigma that affects an individual and deters them from seeking help. Because in reality, addiction is a brain disease that needs physical and psychological treatment. Addiction also shows no discrimination. It is seen across all spectrums of race, ethnicity, gender, and socio-economics. In fact, some groups that researches are seeing an increase in substance abuse may surprise you. Read more →

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. Read more →