Addressing Stigma in American Society Regarding Addicts

Addressing Stigma in American Society Regarding Addicts

The “huge stigma” attached to people in American society who suffer from addiction results from myths, stereotypes, and negative attitudes. Previously, addiction was seen as a moral issue, which has led to another type of stigma – a public one. People with an addiction are portrayed in media as dangerous or simply immoral, which strengthens the idea in people’s minds (Webb et al., 2024). The “War on Drugs” that began in the 1980s and continued throughout the 1990s reinforced this linkage between drug use and criminal activities, resulting in punitive measures instead of rehabilitation (Knaak et al., 2019). Such factors give a societal impression that people with an addiction are deceitful and deserve to be punished instead of being treated like patients. This is due to a lack of awareness and continued portrayal of addiction as a vice rather than an illness, just like any other disease. Stigma reduction should, therefore, involve awareness creation, understanding of people with substance dependency disorders, and a change of perception in order to facilitate the reentry of the affected individuals into society (Aronowitz & Meisel, 2022).

References

Aronowitz, S., & Meisel, Z. F. (2022). Addressing stigma to provide quality care to people who use drugs. JAMA Network Open, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.46980

Knaak, S., Mercer, S., Christie, R., & Stuart, H. (2019). Stigma and the Opioid Crisis Final Report. https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/wp-content/uploads/drupal/2019-07/Opioid_Report_july_2019_eng.pdf

Webb, R., Ford, E., Shakespeare, J., Easter, A., Alderdice, F., Holly, J., Coates, R., Hogg, S., Cheyne, H., McMullen, S., Gilbody, S., Salmon, D., & Ayers, S. (2024). Conceptual framework on barriers and facilitators to implementing perinatal mental health care and treatment for women: the MATRIx evidence synthesis. Health and Social Care Delivery Research, pp. 1–187. https://doi.org/10.3310/kqfe0107

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Addressing Stigma in American Society Regarding Addicts

One reason so many individuals in recovery might choose to keep their recovery a secret is due to the often unbearable stigma associated with addiction. In American society, there are an overwhelming number of myths, stereotypes, negative attitudes, and perspectives that could severely hamper the systemic recovery of the individual. In thinking about the required readings and videos, why is there such a “huge stigma” in American society in terms of addicts? How do you think that these beliefs developed and continue?
NOTE: You must make at least 1 substantial posting and 2 substantial replies to this thread. You must participate in the Unit discussion board (making postings/replies) at least 3 days per unit to qualify for full credit and also have at least 1 posting by Wednesday at midnight. You also must use APA style in your posting and replies so please use in-text references and provide a reference to give proper credit to the authors.

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