Why Some Suffering with Addiction Avoid Recovery
If you have never dealt with addiction you may not understand why some people struggle with the idea of getting treatment. There are a number of reasons that a person may avoid recovery options. In some cases, a person who relies on drugs or alcohol may not recognize that they have a problem or may not be ready to cope with the situation but for some the reason is an outside influence rather than an internal one. Alcohol and drug addiction have been demonized in our society. There is a stigma associated with dependence; even worse there is a stigma associated with seeking treatment.
Somewhere along the line we, as a community, lost compassion for those struggling with addiction. We decided that they were either weak to have the reliance or were duplicitous people always trying to hide their substance use. The “addiction stigma” that has been created prevents people from getting the help they need. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism less than 10% of those of adults with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) received treatment.
Changing Course
One way that we can help those who may be dependent on drugs and alcohol is to change the way we view the addiction. The more people learn about addiction, the better they are equipped to handle it. Educating the public-at-large about the disease can help eliminate the negative stereotypes and shed a light on the importance of seeking recovery. Focusing on treatment programs and getting help as a positive is essential to changing the conversation.