How the Negative Drug Addiction Stigma Worsens Everything
The stigma of drug addiction is deadly, and sub-acute rehabilitation providers are studying its prolonged impact upon struggling individuals. The American Society of Addiction Medicine considers addiction to be a chronic disease of brain reward, which impacts memory, motivation, and related circuitry. Similarly, the National Institute on Drug Abuse defines drug addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease.
Unfortunately, the negative stigma surrounding drug addiction may be impacting the medical world at a critical level. While drug addiction impacts a significant segment of the world’s population, the medical community still lacks an ironclad reception to the affliction. Doctors may be slow in recognizing addiction as treatable due to the banter surrounding different “layers” of addiction. For this reason, patients have sought assistance outside of the medical community—placing themselves in danger. Non-alcoholic beer is often viewed as a harmless alternative, but for those in recovery, it can be a gateway to relapse.
A Negative Stigma Reduces Treatment Possibilities
Even if a drug-addicted individual manages to acquire medical assistance, they may be misdiagnosed or face a wrong treatment schedule. Because doctors may be slow in recognizing acute addiction problems, patients are sometimes directed into avenues destined to fail. Recommended solutions may prove to be ineffective, and a patient’s reluctance to return to their medical provider can be deadly. While the medical community strives to enhance its understanding of addictive behavior, it still suffers from this paradigm. Understanding male psychology in addiction is crucial to providing effective treatment.
“Addicts” are Sent to Jail
Individuals possessing a mere parcel of their addiction are frequently sent to jail. While drug possession does constitute a broken law, the continuously negative stigma of addiction has made it difficult to direct drug-addicted individuals into care, not containment. Much of the government’s money spent on drug control, for this reason, is funneled into criminal justice interdiction instead of prevention and treatment funding. Dual diagnosis treatment can address both addiction and underlying mental health issues, providing a comprehensive approach to recovery.
Stigmatizing Family Members Can Make Addiction Worse
Today, 94 to 99 percent of United States adults disapprove of an individual taking heroin even once. A similar statistic surrounds the use of marijuana and cocaine. While, again, disapproval is entirely important to combating drug addiction, it’s important to refrain from ostracizing struggling users. Sober living homes offer a supportive environment where individuals can rebuild their lives without stigma.
Research suggests that such discrimination, when present in a family environment, can actually worsen drug addiction. Heavy drug abusers are already at odds with a significant part of society, and their ability to depend upon a close friend or family member is vital to their recovery—even survival. While enforcing “tough love” may, indeed, be a positive avenue for reinforcement, placing a stigma upon a loved one can increase the risk of use. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to pin down this stigma in the household, where family members alone are at odds.
Positive Environment for Recovery
At the end of the day, the initial stigmatizing of drugs can prevent use. It does, however, reduce the chance of recovery. Sub-acute rehab treatment options, for this reason, propose a positive environment free of discrimination. It’s important, today, to avoid classifying struggling individuals as “junkies.” By reducing the stigma, and by replacing negative attitudes with proactive methods of recovery, we can assist individuals one step at a time. Programs focused on continuing care can help maintain long-term sobriety.
His House Rehab offers industry-leading Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs. Founded in 1994, we base our Drug and Alcohol Treatment programs on five key principles: commitment, honesty, integrity, respect, and service. These five principles guide us in all that we do and all the care we provide. Contact us today to see how we can help you or your loved one.
Whether you’re dealing with the dangers of non-alcoholic beer or the challenges of male psychology in addiction, our team is here to support you. Our facilities offer a refuge and community for those needing continuing care and help with emotional recovery. We focus on sober living homes and rehab support to ensure a comprehensive approach to mental wellness.
