As addiction and recovery are discussed in society, much information gets altered and misinterpreted like in a game of telephone. Understanding the misinformation and stigmas about addiction can help you understand the true effects of addiction and the science of recovery. This understanding will enable you to spread information that accurately portrays substance use disorder to others in the community.
Common Stigmas
Various stigmas circulate from the societal impressions of addiction. Because most people are not educated on the science of addiction, judgments and stereotypes are prominent.
Blame
Many individuals who are struggling with addiction receive copious amounts of blame. From an outside perspective, it is easy to assume that addiction is a lack of willpower and that the addicted individual is not efficiently trying to overcome their use.
However, addiction is a brain disease that strongly affects the ability to make decisions. While addicted individuals may be trying and working through the recovery process, society may view their negative actions as a lack of care for themselves, therefore blaming them for the symptoms of addiction. Such blame is unhelpful and can decrease the motivation of those in recovery.
Lack of Moral Standards
Because an individual initially chooses to engage in substance use and continues to allow the substance to influence their life, they must lack moral standards, right?
Sadly, this is an assumption that many people in society believe. As they have not likely been through a similar experience, they assume that reaching a point of addiction has to occur from a lack of moral standards or a character flaw.
The reality is that individuals who are struggling with addiction have moral standards, just as anyone else does. A key focus of recovery is helping people clarify those standards and teaching them how to better implement them into their lifestyle. When the values of addicted individuals are acknowledged and respected, they will be better able to overcome the disease of addiction.
Poor Work Ethic
Another common stigma of addiction is that individuals who struggle with addiction have poor work ethics due to their desire for drugs. While addiction and substance use can affect an individual’s ability to perform their job properly, this does not mean the person has a poor work ethic.
Individuals in recovery likely need the opportunity to regain trust with their employer or start fresh in a new job, as the side effects of the disease may have temporarily altered their job performance. If you find that an addicted individual’s performance is lacking, discuss the behavior and assist them to work through the root issues. Temporary stress that affects job performance is not the same as having a poor work ethic.
Misinformation on Addiction
Just as stigmas wrongly characterize those who struggle with addiction, misinformation about addiction can give people incorrect ideas about addiction and treatment.
The Safety of Prescription Drugs
One common assumption is that individuals cannot get addicted to prescription drugs. Because these drugs are prescribed by a medical professional, the risk they pose for addiction is often dismissed by the general public. However, even drugs you have been prescribed can be addictive.
Addiction to opioids is one of the most common addictions in the United States. People addicted to opioids usually become addicted after being prescribed opioids to help alleviate pain. It is important to be aware of the warnings on any prescribed or over-the-counter medications to ensure you do not reach a point of addiction with their use.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Another common misconception about recovery from addiction involves medication-assisted treatments (MAT). Many people think that using medications during recovery will only replace the addiction. Fortunately, this is not the case. The medications used in MAT are specifically administered to ease the withdrawal effects and assist in the recovery process. They do not introduce a new addiction in the process.
The Recovery Timeline
Lastly, many people do not understand that recovery from addiction takes time. Many individuals develop a lack of empathy for those in recovery. If the people do not recover “fast enough,” friends or family may become less supportive, as they feel that the individual with substance use disorder is not putting forth enough effort to change.
Remember that recovery requires the neural pathways to be rewired. New habits need to be established. This process takes time, and it is important to be patient and supportive of your loved one in recovery.
Addressing Misinformation
It is helpful to address these issues and correct misinformation when you encounter it. Informing our community about the true aspects of addiction can encourage others to empathize with those working through recovery. It can also provide communal support in advocating for recovery.
Some simple tips to avoid contributing to the spread of this misinformation is to be mindful of what you read on the internet. Seek information from a verified treatment center or research-based source. Many of the suggestions and stereotypes spread through social media regarding addiction are not accurate and often misrepresent information.
Ensure that you are educated on this misinformation and do not assume that everything you hear is true. Do your research and help share the truth about addiction and the recovery process. By standing up for the truth, you can reduce negative stigmas and provide a supportive community that encourages recovery.
When it comes to society’s perspective of addiction, various misconceptions and stigmas abound. Addiction stigmas can cause individuals struggling with substance use disorder to refrain from seeking help out of fear of societal judgment. It can also decrease the motivation of people who are further along in recovery. By addressing these misconceptions and learning the truth about addiction, we can educate others in society and spread empathy to those in recovery. Fighting against these negative stigmas can reshape the viewpoints regarding addiction recovery. It can also help to include those with substance use disorder in society. Educating yourself on the proven, research-based aspects of recovery is also important, as there are many misconceptions regarding the length of recovery and different treatment methods. To learn more about common misinformation and stigmas and how you can make a positive impact, reach out to Dream Recovery today at (949) 732-1960.