Hollywood and the media portray them as uneducated, unkempt and dirty, with a paper bag covering their bottle, or passed out in an abandoned building, surrounded by needles and paraphernalia. The stigma behind those who use substances paints them as part of the background of something loathsome or seedy. They are not even portrayed as human beings. This visual is so engrained in our society. So how can we overcome stigma about addiction?
Missing the Plot
The trouble with those Hollywood scenarios is that they are not representative of the majority of people who struggle with substance use. People who use substances are the elderly neighbor who drinks too much because they lost their spouse. The housewife who suffered abuse as a young girl, and drinks to numb the pain. They are the corporate executive who needed something to stay alert during long hours. The mail carrier that had surgery for a back injury and became addicted to pain pills. People with addiction are all around us. They are us.
The media portrayal of people with addiction also does not do justice to the pain of those who are truly suffering from substance use. Children do not plan to become underweight meth dealers in a bad part of town to support their own habits. Addiction happens because of pain. The kind of pain that unfortunately, too many of us have: loss, abuse, trauma, violence, and more. In spite of the fact that these types of scenarios would be more interesting in a movie plot, Hollywood finds it easier to shove the causes of addiction under the carpet and stick to their poorly written storylines. They are missing the plot: we are all human beings.
Who Do We See Ourselves As?
Because of such overt and overwhelming stigma, all the way down to common misconceptions about addiction, we may see ourselves as a one-dimensional background character, too. Do we buy into the stigma? Do we take those judgments on? Or do we see ourselves for who we really are?
The first step in overcoming stigma is overcoming the stigma ourselves. Do we see ourselves as less than human? Are we judging ourselves because of our substance use? Or do we look in the mirror and see the pain in our eyes of a human being who is suffering? Do we allow ourselves the compassion to realize that even if we have made mistakes during our substance use, we are still worthy of self-love? When we look deep into that mirror and see that desire to be free of our substances, we are ready to step out of the shadows of stigma.
Stepping Out of the Shadows
Wanting something other than substance use is the first step toward finding out who we really are. Coming to terms with exactly how much our substance use is impacting our lives and the lives of others can be an eye-opening experience. That realization, though, can fuel our desire to seek treatment and make wholesale changes in our lives.
Becoming self-aware and desiring to change can be the catalyst not only for our recovery but also for our advocacy. First, advocating to ourselves who we really are, that our substance does not define us. Secondly, advocating to those around us that we are still human beings, worthy of love and support as we make sweeping changes within our lives.
Becoming the Lead in Our Own Life
Stepping into treatment puts us back in the driver’s seat of our own lives. Losing the substances and gaining self-confidence and the skills to manage our lives substance-free means that we have given ourselves the leading role again in our lives.
We do not need to hide or cower in the dark, fearing the judgment of others. We can courageously step into the light and show up for ourselves and those that we love. We can make whatever changes that we need to in our life relating to the people in our lives or our jobs, or whatever is needed, and we are free to do this because we have left our substances behind.
Educating Others
Once we are free of our substances and are functioning for ourselves again, we can help others overcome the stigma about addiction, too. By living authentically in our recovery, we demonstrate with our actions what it is to be human, a human who formerly abused substances. They say that actions speak louder than words, and if that is the case, our example is better than a Hollywood blockbuster.
If our actions are not enough, we can become an advocate by speaking up to our friends and co-workers or even getting involved in an advocacy group to help dispel myths about substance use and the people who are caught in its snare. Our example will provide authenticity for our words, and we can become a part of the solution, inspiring others who are just like us.
How can I overcome the stigma of addiction? First, you must overcome the judgments you have placed on yourself. Next, call Rancho Milagro Recovery at (951) 526-4582. We can help you find the treatment that puts you on the recovery path. As you overcome your substance use, you will also overcome the stigma. Others will see your example and realize that people with addiction are people, too. You can put the humanity back into your life and the lives of others.