Stigma. It’s what differentiates addiction from other diseases. It’s what prevents our co-workers, friends, family and neighbors from getting the help they need.
If you stop and think about it, when a co-worker is diagnosed with cancer or another illness, or when an employee’s child is diagnosed with an illness, everyone rallies around that employee and provides support — emotional support, providing meals to help or even participating in a fundraiser in their honor (fundraising or creating a team for a local cancer or diabetes walk).
However, when an employee struggles with a substance abuse, employees often shy away from them or even shun them. In fact, a recent study indicated that less than 1 in 5 Americans are willing to closely associate with a co-worker, friend or neighbor suffering from drug addiction and nearly 1 out of 10 people with a substance abuse disorder will not seek out and receive treatment due to stigma.
Implicitly, even though many people know someone suffering from addiction, they hesitate to get involved. In fact, people stay away.
It’s time to do something about it. It’s time to stand up to the stigma against addiction.
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reported that many participants polled see drug misuse as a moral failing and favor stiffer penalties. Forty-four percent of those surveyed say opioid addiction indicates a lack of willpower or discipline, and a third say it is a character flaw. Fifty-five percent favor a “crackdown” on those who misuse drugs.
It is counterproductive to place blame on a person for a medical condition. It is unfair to stigmatize an addiction and spotlight individuals who suffer an addiction or behavioral health condition. Next to cost, stigma is the second largest barrier for individuals considering treatment. Like any other health issue, individuals with an addiction deserve respect and support — and an environment free of judgement and prejudice.
When it comes to addiction, no one should avoid getting help because of stigma. It’s time for our community to do something. At the Fairbanks Circle of Hope event recently, government and community leaders joined staff, volunteers, patients and former patients in taking a stand. Today, I’m asking others to do the same. Take a stand against stigma.
People don’t deserve to be treated differently because of addiction. Everyone deserves to get the help they need to recover from addiction. We can’t allow stigma to stand in the way of someone’s recovery. To fight addiction we must fight stigma. We can defeat stigma if we confront it.
- If you’re an employer, promote a healthy, drug-free work environment and educate employees on policies and procedures for getting help — or helping someone get help.
- Establish Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to encourage and support addiction treatment and recovery through confidential assessments, counseling and resource referrals.
- As a co-worker, friend or neighbor, find creative ways to support to someone seeking out treatment for themselves or a loved one. Small gestures make a big difference.
Will you join me? Stand up to stigma and help your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors travel the road to recovery free of stigma.
John P. Ryan is on the board of directors for the Fairbanks Alcohol and Addiction Treatment Center in Indianapolis. Send comments to [email protected].
