Despite progress in recent years, the stigma surrounding addiction and mental illnesses continues. Whether individuals seek treatment in publicly funded facilities or expensive rehabilitation centres, stigma remains a barrier for those seeking help. This stigma affects not only those struggling with addiction or mental illness but also extends to their loved ones.
Negative Stereotypes
According to the American Psychological Association, stigma is defined as a “negative social attitude toward a characteristic of an individual, which may be seen as a mental, physical, or social deficiency. Stigma generates social rejection and leads to unfair discrimination or exclusion.”
Like many formal definitions, it may not fully capture the demoralizing experience of stigma and its effects on a personal level. Some dictionaries give stigma a more direct meaning: “a mark of shame or disgrace.”
As a result, entire groups of people, including those who may seek help from private drug rehab centres, are mistreated and marginalised because of their condition. This negative stereotype reduces people’s identities, reducing their lives to only this one aspect.
Confusion Between Effects and Causes of Addiction
Why does addiction often provoke such disapproval? Primarily, there are two reasons: the harm it can cause to others and society, and the belief that addiction is the result of irresponsible choices caused by a lack of character or moral strength. However, critics of people with an addiction may mistakenly confuse the effects of addiction with its causes.
The Question of Choice
Despite our growing understanding of addiction and its various causes—including genetics, environment, and psychological factors—many in society continue to stigmatise individuals with addictions, seeing their behaviour as deliberately self-destructive. This negative perception is reinforced by the belief that those battling addiction can choose at any time. The continual refusal to make this choice is often viewed as a personal failure rather than a symptom of addiction itself.
Internalized Stigma
The stigma faced by individuals struggling with addiction is particularly damaging, as they often experience internalized stigma. This means they already feel deep guilt and shame—emotions that can contribute to their addiction. These feelings are intensified by the suffering caused by addiction and its consequences. Attempts to break free from addiction become more difficult due to the fear of judgment from others, which increases stress and lowers self-esteem. Ultimately, this intensifies addictive behaviours.
The Dangers of Social Division
A common misconception is that wealthy individuals have strong immunity to addiction because their luxurious lifestyle is thought to protect them. If it’s known that one of them is battling addiction, it is often seen as a consequence of their indulgent lifestyle rather than a serious problem.
Some may perceive entry into a prestigious rehabilitation facility as merely seeking refuge in a luxurious environment rather than recognizing it as a serious struggle with a potentially life-threatening condition.
Those with social privilege may feel ashamed when they realize they need help. They fear negative impacts on their reputation, public disgrace, or losing connections with loved ones. All of this may prevent them from seeking help.
Institutionalized Stigma
Unfortunately, a significant part of the medical field has played a crucial role in reinforcing the stigma around addiction. This thinking has been ingrained in institutions until recently. Many healthcare professionals believed in the idea of a “hopeless addict,” a concept easily accepted by addicted individuals themselves because it aligned with their self-perception.
Scientific progress has helped change perceptions and attitudes. High-end rehab centres, like traditional ones, are aware of the impact of stigma on their patients (whether it comes from society or is internalized). Helping individuals recognise and overcome guilt and shame is vital to the therapeutic process.