In Recovery and Proud – End the Stigma Surrounding Addiction
If you or someone you love is suffering from a substance abuse disorder and a mental health illness, it’s important to know that no one is fighting this alone. Surveys have found that about half of people who have a mental illness in their lives will also experience a substance use disorder and vice versa. [1] Despite these types of statistics, there is still a stigma that surrounds addiction and mental health illnesses. That’s why it important to look at ways of how to end the stigma and how others are leading the fight.
Ways to End the Stigma Surrounding Addiction
There is a stigma that surrounds addiction and mental health illness because many people believe that addiction is a choice. They believe that people can turn it on and off easily when that is not the case at all. That’s why education is one of the clear ways to help end the stigma. Let’s take a look at education as well as several other ways to end the stigma surrounding addiction.
Education
Understand the facts about substance abuse disorders and mental health illnesses. This means knowing that people don’t choose to become addicted to substances. This also means thinking about the words you use to talk about people who have become addicted to substances or who are suffering from mental health problems. Be respectful and take the time to understand a person’s situation instead of passing judgment.
The Addiction is Not the Entire Person
People don’t want to be labeled for their addiction or mental health illness. There is more to them than that. Understanding this and getting to know all of the layers beneath can also help to fight the stigma.
Give Support
Giving support and being someone to talk to is another way to help those with a substance abuse disorder or mental health illness. Many people fall into dark places because they had no support. Being a supportive person can help people recover from their problems as well as stop the stigma surrounding them.
These are just a few of the ways that you can do your part to end the stigma surrounding mental health illnesses and addiction.
Celebrities Helping to End the Stigma
Several celebrities have come forward to talk about their battles with drugs and alcohol as well as their issues with mental health illnesses.
Singer Demi Lovato has been a vocal advocate for fighting the stigma of addiction and mental health. She has shared details of her addiction as well as her mental illness. [2] In a 2017 documentary, she chronicled her journey telling people you just have to take things one day at a time. Although she did have a relapse in 2018, she has come back and has proven that she is stronger than ever.
Nicole Richie, daughter of Lionel Richie, is another celebrity who has been very candid about her addictions. She has talked about her time in rehab and how she has become sober. Richie is also honest about her life choices with her kids. [2]
Another celebrity who has spoken out about her addiction and mental health issues is longtime ABC News anchor Elizabeth Vargas. She wrote a book about her alcohol use disorder and anxiety disorder, shedding light on the issues and how people can overcome them. [2]
These are just a few of the many celebrities who are working to fight the stigmas that surround substance abuse disorders and mental health illnesses.
Helping People Fight Addiction and Mental Health Illness
At Clear Life Recovery, we are helping people recover from their substance abuse disorders. We offer rehabilitation services aimed at helping each person deal specifically with their problems so that they can live a sober and healthy life.
Contact Clear Life Recovery today to learn more about our programs and how we can help you or a loved one deal with addiction.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/common-comorbidities-substance-use-disorders/part-1-connection-between-substance-use-disorders-mental-illness
[2] https://www.thetemper.com/sober-celebrities-challenging-addiction-stigma/
