Drug addiction continues to be a taboo topic in modern society, which villainizes drug addicts instead of helping them recover. Many rehab centers, including institutions that are free of charge, are able to help victims of addiction through a caring step-by-step program that allows users to break free from the habit of drug-dependency.
However, numerous addicts continue to suffer in silence in fear of being shamed by their peers or acquaintances. While willingly going to rehab should be a praised decision, it continues to be a stigma that addicts avoid.
In order to help addicts overcome their struggles, we have to collectively take a stand to deconstruct this stigma; here’s how we can do that.
Understanding drug addiction
The stigma of going to rehab stems from the fact that society villainized drug addicts. However, individuals who are drawn to drugs usually start small, and this can be a result of the peer pressure of fitting in or a coping mechanism of dealing with traumas. In both cases, individuals are affected by their surroundings or events in their life that they have little to no control over. Consequently, addicts should never be shamed or held accountable for their past decisions, especially after they have decided to reach out for help.
Using drugs as a coping mechanism oftentimes exacerbates the severity of any trauma that the victim is dealing with. At first, drugs seem to be the perfect distraction, but when the individual’s tolerance to the drugs amplifies, the chemical euphoria quickly dissipates, which leads to consuming higher doses that can be fatal.
In most cases, victims of drug abuse are either mentally ill, traumatized, or generally looking for a means to escape their own thinking patterns.
Raising awareness
Awareness campaigns need to primarily target individuals who would be inclined to seek drugs. The therapists at https://www.rehabclinic.org.uk/ explain that most of their patients sought drugs after they have reached out to their friends and family about their suffering, and received little to no support. Young teens, especially, may express their suffering to their peers, and be advised to find a hobby or travel, when in fact they require professional attention and a diagnosis of their mental health state.
And unfortunately, the stigma is a vicious loop. Going to rehab is considered shameful, as it confirms substance abuse. The addiction, on the other hand, is a result of suppressed trauma or mental illnesses, which in turn are surrounded by their own stigma. As such, awareness campaigns need to normalize the need for psychotherapy and prescribed medication, in order for individuals to seek therapy rather than turn to drugs in secret. We must also raise awareness about addiction being a confirmed disease that requires medical attention, and how it is not just a bad decision that reckless individuals make.
How rehab helps
On the other hand, many drug addicts have a stereotypical misconception that rehab is abusive to its patients, but this is never true when an individual chooses to be admitted on their own terms. Rehab is a community of different people suffering similar trauma, and nothing can help addicts better than knowing that they’re not going through their struggles alone.
On the other hand, a recovering addict at rehab is surrounded by doctors, therapists and medical practitioners all day, and can request help at any time they need. This intensive care can help addicts who may have the inclination to relapse. The detox programs offered are smooth and slow, and they’re rarely done cold-turkey. In some cases, doctors may advise cutting off the drug completely, while providing alternative painkillers and other safer medications that can ease the withdrawal symptoms during the rehabilitation process.
Why the stigma is dangerous
As long as the stigma of seeking help continues, fewer and fewer addicts will reach out for help, which will result in ruining lives or ending them. The stigma affects an addict’s decision of whether or not they should seek help, seeing as the fear of being perceived negatively by peers is what stops most victims from speaking up.
If the stigma of going to rehab only exists to make addiction shameful and thus prevent it from affecting society, this is only counterproductive. Addicts need to feel safe enough to come forward without having to face social consequences.
In order to fight off the stigma of going to rehab, we must stop villainizing drug addicts and start raising awareness on how drug addiction is a real disease that requires medical attention. People usually think of addicts as irresponsible individuals who purposely make bad decisions, whereas this is rarely ever the case. Mental illnesses, trauma, and abuse can all lead to addiction and recovery in some cases can be impossible without professional attention. Once we humanize drug addicts, only then can we destigmatize going to rehab.