A stigma is a negative judgment imposed by others. For the purposes of this blog, I will discuss stigma as it relates only to addicts and alcoholics. As such, a stigma is an opinion based on society’s ignorance and fear of addicts and alcoholics.
The effects of stigma on the individual are devastating: it ostracizes and isolates her/him from the rest of the community; it inhibits healthy relationships and rapport with others; it reduces one’s self-esteem and increases feelings of guilt; it can lead to loss of professional opportunities and employability because stigmatized individuals are viewed as professionally incompetent; it can be passed down through generations. Self-stigmatization is perhaps the worst form of stigma because it may lead to self-loathing, depression, anti-social behaviour, chronic relapse, interference with the seeking of Recovery, lack of honesty about one’s disease, and hesitation and reluctance to “come out”.
Stigma affects all societal institutions: police have demonstrated incompetence and insensitivity in dealing with the opioid epidemic. In some cases, police departments have refused to carry naloxone kits. In other instances, police have been less than inspiring in curtailing known opioid trafficking, which has resulted in deaths. If the prevention of deaths had involved non-addicts instead of “junkies”, would the police have displayed greater zeal? I think the answer is obvious.
Health care professionals continue to treat addicts and alcoholics in a suboptimal manner. Witness the shameful opioid overdose statistics which are the direct result of a grossly incompetent health care system in Canada and the United States, a health care system which purports to treat the disease of substance dependency.
The press continues to use deplorable and pejorative terminology in describing patients with this disease. Don’t challenge me on these statements, because I can provide you with personal experience!
The management of stigma involves talking about one’s illness with others in Recovery to overcome the negative image of the disease. Stigma can be overcome with the support of a sponsor and friends in the Recovery program. School and university curricula need to include addiction so that this illness can be openly discussed and taught. Substance dependency is ignored at all educational levels!
Hopefully, in the years to come, a movement can emerge that can fight for the rights of people with the illness of addiction, for example, for the access to effective health care.
Remember: be the best you can in Recovery. Fight for what you believe is right. Push back against false unjustified accusations. Confront inappropriate comments and actions by those (malicious neighbours, ignorant teachers, police with tunnel vision, health care professionals, health care regulatory bodies, coworkers, etc…) who are biased.
Share your personal stories in safe settings.
Leave a Reply