Last time, we discussed stigma related to substance abuse.  It is natural to look at someone else and make judgments. It is easy to assume we know about a person based on their appearance or actions.  But, are our perceptions accurate? Are we projecting our personal biases on to others?  Are these projections based on truth or opinion?

Stigma is powerful, complex and dynamic.  Stigma can cause problems for people in substance use that are bigger than addiction alone.  Stigma keeps people paralyzed in shame instead of hope and in isolation instead of community; defining a person by their addiction shuts them off from treatment and help.  Stigma can be internalized, so the person believes what stigma says about them.

Stigma not only affects the person, but also their family, friends, and even those who try to help them. They may face the same judgement, shame or barriers of the person who is in addiction. The stigma may come in words or thoughts. The underlying attitudes allies may face are: Why would you waste your time with THOSE people?  There is no hope for those in addiction. What did you do wrong to cause this?  How could you allow this to happen? 

One way to combat stigma is to recognize the stigma we hold personally.  We may not realize the beliefs, assumptions and thoughts we have that stigmatize others.  The Central East Division Addiction Technology Transfer includes the following questions in its Anti-Stigma Toolkit to help people consider their own levels of internal bias:  Do you believe that those who are struggling with addiction are weak, lazy or immoral? Do you believe some addictions are worse than others?  For example: is it worse to be addicted to illegal drugs than prescription drugs?  Do you believe that some people are beyond help, that they will never get better?  Do you believe that some treatments for substance abuse are better than others?  For example, do you believe that abstinence is better than medically-assisted treatment?  Do you believe that there is only one path to recovery, like a 12-steps program?

Another powerful tool in breaking stigma is to allow individuals and family members to tell their story. It is easy to stigmatize people we don’t know. The judgement and condemnation of stigma silences individuals and makes them fearful to share their journey. Taking the time to listen, understand, and recognize the person behind the label offers dignity and respect to someone who may have lost belief in themselves.  Seeing acceptance in your eyes may be a small encouragement that opens the person to the possibility of healing. 

Learn as much as you can about substance use, treatment, prevention, and recovery.  Share what you have learned. As you notice misinformation and inaccuracies in interactions with others, speak up and challenge mistaken ideas.

Don’t use stigmatizing language.  Calling someone a junkie or addict does not help them rise out of that life style. The old adage that sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me denies the negative power of words that promote shame and judgment and keep a person in the hopeless state that crushes hope of recovery.
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Stigma never helps.  It can be broken and stopped.  When we recognize the power of stigma and its negative consequences we begin the change process of healing.  Addiction doesn’t have to be the end.  Treatment works.  Recovery is possible. If you or someone you know is ready to seek treatment, please call the Quick Response Team at 765-490-0381.

We often hear about stigma related to mental illness and substance abuse, but what does that really mean?
Stigma is a form of discrimination.  It includes making negative judgements and assumptions about others based on perceptions of who they are, what they look like, and what they do.  Stigma decides who merits dignity and respect and who does not. Stigma often means distancing yourself from those you deem unworthy. 
 
Stigma isolates and divides people into US and THEM. Stigma uses attitudes, words and actions to separate “innocent” people from bad ones. Where substance abuse is concerned, it separates junkies from those who deserve help and divides addicts from those worthy of resources. 

Stigma keeps families silent about their loved ones who struggle with addiction. Stigma says that if your child is involved in substance misuse, you are a bad parent. It silently accuses you of doing something wrong, even though a third of all families in the United States have a loved one struggling with addiction.

Stigma ignores the fact that addiction can happen to anyone, and that no one is safe.  As the fifth graders in the We are the Champions drama club said,” Addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer.”  No one is immune.  Stigma says It can’t happen to me or mine.

Stigma keeps communities from reaching out to those in need. Stigma means thinking that people involved in substance use just need to snap out of it and pull themselves up by their boot straps. It has us believing they are weak-willed and lacking self-control.

Stigma is the cashier who looks with disdain at people using food stamps.  Stigma is the receptionist who treats clients with tattoos and piercings differently those who don’t. Stigma is an educator who expects less of the children from “that family.”  Stigma is the medical professional whose words or actions communicate that the patient is a hopeless addict.  Stigma is smugly shaking your head, looking down on others, glad you are too smart, good, or virtuous for that to happen to you.

But when you listen to the stories of families and people involved in substance use, you begin to understand it could happen to anyone.  I hear stories of people who received prescription opioids, hated the way it made them feel, and refused to take more.  Perhaps they are the lucky ones. There are stories of others who upon that first opioid prescription, finally felt complete and that they had “arrived,” taking their first steps downward into substance misuse.  Stories abound of youth who experimented believing they were invulnerable and invincible only to become ensnared in the world of addiction. The stories of children whose families embraced the drug culture and never knew anything different are devastating, as they often become addicted to substances before they enter middle school.  Stigma is children whose lives are impacted by decisions that other people make for them. 

Stigma keeps people silent, isolated and shamed. Of the millions of Americans involved in substance abuse, only 10 percent seek out treatment.  According to the NAMI Cure Stigma website, stigma prevents people from seeking help because of shame or fear of judgement. Stigma says there is no hope for recovery.

Stigma points a finger offering blame and judgement, instead of compassion.  Stigma never helps. 
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Next time, how to combat stigma.