Overcome Addiction - Stigma and Shame |
The following is a direct quote from David L. Rosenbloom, Ph.D. Professor
of Public Health at Boston University;
"Stigma is one of the meanest and most difficult aspects of addiction
because it makes it harder for individuals and families to deal with their problems and get the help they need.
In many ways, hiding an addiction problem is the rational thing to do because seeking help can mean losing a job,
and medical insurance, or even losing your child when a social service agency declares you an unfit parent because
you have an alcohol or drug problem!"
According to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA), the stigma and shame associated with the term "addict" is often a powerful
deterrent to treatment, and is a major reason why people do not seek help. This is not
surprising, when you consider how most of the current treatment options wrongfully label
these individuals as weak minded, socially unacceptable monsters, which have contracted
a chronic, incurable brain disease! In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
our very own government agency responsible for drug abuse research and prevention has
stated that “Addiction is a chronic brain disease that can be managed successfully.”
Attributed to the NIDA 2007 report, “Drugs, Brains, &Behavior- The science of
Addiction.” Notice that their choice of verbs does not include the word CURE! Why
would anyone want to seek help if they are going to be labeled as a socially unacceptable
monster, which has contracted an incurable brain disease that can never be cured! First,
no one wants to be labeled as anything other than what we all are, children of God.
Second, why should anyone seek help for something that is portrayed as being hopelessly
incurable? Well, let me say that addiction is not a disease, and it can be eradicated
permanently! However, to accomplish this we must stop disempowering people by
labeling them as monsters, and serving up a bleak sense of societal hopelessness in the
form of an incurable brain disease!
Best wishes,
David Roppo
Addiction Coach
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