In this section of the presentation, I will address the stigma associated with substance abuse and how the community can positively respond to the problem. As we have heard from the other presenters, substance abuse is a pervasive issue that affects many people in society. Therefore, we need to create a lot of self-awareness in communities, which will, in turn, reduce the stigma associated with substance abuse.
Suggestions for Reducing the Stigma around Substance Abuse
One strategy that can be used is shifting the view and visibility among people recovering from substance abuse. In most cases, society condemns and judges substance abusers hence leaving them alone to deal with addiction. This is wrong as the community needs to create a visible social identity of recovery and meaningful activity among substance abusers. In this case, the community plays a significant role in challenging the stigma associated with substance abuse. For example, the community can offer training and employment opportunities to individuals suffering from substance abuse issues. The community can also have periodic functions that celebrate individuals who have recovered from substance abuse. By doing this, the whole community can proactively change the underlying negative attitudes and perceptions underlying substance abuse.
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Another recommendation would be putting a face on the issue of substance abuse. While so many people are affected directly or indirectly by substance abuse, they fear coming out due to negative judgment from the community. Indeed, stigma is the biggest challenge that societies have to overcome to address substance abuse effectively. Stigma prevents victims from coming out and seeking treatment. By putting a face to substance abuse, more addicts will receive the appropriate treatment interventions to the problem.
Choosing the appropriate language to use when addressing substance abuse is another strategy that can be used to reduce the stigma related to the issue. A language is a powerful tool used to facilitate communication. In the same breath, language can be used to perpetuate the stigma surrounding substance abuse. The negative language used to communicate issues related to substance abuse can create systemic discrimination in vital societal areas such as healthcare, employment, insurance, and developing policies. This is especially so among individuals trying to heal from substance abuse and become resourceful members of society. While there are many ways to create a more accepting society, choosing the right language is among the most critical aspects. In this case, every community member should make a conscious decision to use destigmatized language when referring to substance abuse and individuals suffering from substance abuse disorders.
How the Community can Improve and become Better Equipped/ Aware of Substance Abuse in a Positive Light
Creating community awareness around substance abuse is one factor that can enable community members to appreciate that substance abuse is an issue that needs to be tacked by the whole society. Creating awareness involves educating the community on the causes, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment interventions used to treat substance abuse. While addiction is a complex issue, most people do not have a general knowledge concerning it. Taking time to understand how the issue affects the victims is beneficial to the learner and the affected individuals.
Community members also need to understand the appropriate resources they can use to support individuals with substance abuse disorder. Substance abusers usually withdraw from their families and loved ones and associate with fellow abusers. To counter this, the community needs to pool monetary and emotional resources to show they are concerned about the wellbeing of the substance abusers. Portraying such support and love draws the abusers towards their loved ones so that they can get assistance. In the course of treatment, community members need to be actively involved in providing ongoing care, attending meetings, and celebrating recoveries.
Five Reasons why you Should Never Call Someone an Addict
Due to the stigma and shame associated
Calling an individual an addict is shameful and reduces their likelihood of seeking treatment. People battling with addiction have low self-esteem hence are sensitive to other's opinions. Therefore, labeling individuals as addicts stigmatizes them and minimizes their likelihood of seeking medical help (Jaffe, 2018). This happens since they cannot get over the shame associated with the addiction. As such, calling an individual an addict would not be a reasonable decision to make.
Shame breeds a negative self-concept.
When individuals with an addiction problem are labeled as such, they develop a negative perception of themselves. The internalization of these feelings is in turn reflected in their behaviors. This prevents them from developing reasonable objectives and achieving their goals in life. Besides, the shameful feelings they old regarding themselves pushes them into a vicious cycle of addiction.
Individuals will perceive themselves as the problem.
Labeling individuals as drug addicts removes the perspective of viewing the person as one who is having a problem that needs to be solved. When dealing with people suffering from psychological disorders, it is necessary to separate the behavior from the person engaging in it (Jaffe, 2018). In the case of addiction, it is imperative to note that the individual is suffering from addiction, which can be resolved through therapy.
Individuals feel helpless when labeled as addicts.
Addiction usually takes a great toll on all domains of people's lives, such as the social, psychological, physical, and spiritual. When these individuals are labeled as addicts, they develop negative self-talk, which causes helplessness (Jaffe, 2018). In such cases, individuals divulge more into consuming drugs and other substances despite realizing that they are harmful. In such cases, individuals are only seeking solace in drugs during their state of helplessness.
It ignores the circumstances that led to the problem.
Calling people addicts portrays the effect of the Fundamental Attribution Error. This cognitive bias indicates how individuals view their actions as being caused by circumstances while at the same time attributing personality to the behaviors exhibited by other people (Jaffe, 2018). By labeling other people as addicts, individuals ignore the role that circumstances play in developing their maladaptive behaviors. Instead, the actions exhibited by these addicts are attributed to their personalities.
Reference
Jaffe, A. (September 10, 2018). Never call someone an "Alcoholic" or "Addict." Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-about-addiction/201809/never-call-someone-alcoholic-or-addict
