Stigma And Stigma Of Drug Addiction - 1478 Words

Nathan Krikorian Stigma of Addiction 10/20/2014 Drug addiction is stigmatized throughout society. Stigma is seen in all types of situations; race, religion, disease, mental health, addiction, what a person’s social and economic standing is. All those examples can be stigmatized, and we, ourselves, do this every day and may not know we are. Because society and especially the media has engrained these moral judgments in our minds about what is right or what is normal. But we should take a second to think about these things a little more in depth before defaulting to what we think we know about these problems. In the case of drug addiction, we see stigma in all types of shapes and sizes. Whether in the media or walking to class with a group of friends, we see it more often than not. That feeling you get when you see a person on the street walking through the rows of cars at a stoplight. Some people (myself included) roll up their windows and avoid eye contact hoping they will just walk by. Chances are that person is in that s ituation because of a serious addiction and really needs help, but isn’t afforded that chance because we the normal people avoid them at all cost. Maybe we can change that. Maybe we can break through these common stigmas and begin to make a change in the way addiction is viewed in society. We first need to ask ourselves what stigma actually is. The government of Western Australia Mental Health Commission defines stigma as, â€Å"†¦ a mark of disgrace thatShow MoreRelatedThe Stigma Of Drug Addiction1791 Words   |  8 PagesThe Stigma of Drug Addiction â€Å"Addiction is a choice not a disease†, is a common phrase that stigmatizes drug addiction in our everyday language. The lack of public knowledge about this social problem causes widespread stigmatization and discrimination of the ill. As a result, many individuals who seriously need professional help feel isolated and hopeless, making it harder for them to recover. Although, there are many efforts to reduce the stigma of addiction, false conceptsRead MoreAdolescent Stigma Towards Drug Addiction1830 Words   |  8 PagesAdolescent Stigma Towards Drug Addiction Ashley Bower Chapman University Adolescent Stigma Towards Drug Addiction Introduction The impact of stigma in today’s society is not studied enough, however, it should be because of the effects it can have on a persons life decisions. It is defined as a negative or shameful characteristic, more specifically, one that indicates a sign of disorder (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2011). The article addresses how individuals who abuse drugs are likelyRead MoreDrug Addiction : A Serious Illness1276 Words   |  6 Pages Drug addiction is a serious illness that can ultimately lead to the breakdown of families, long term psychological issues, and challenges that last a lifetime. People experiment with drugs for various reasons, whether it be for fun or to escape an unpleasant feeling. Some may try drugs the first time out of sheer curiosity, to fit in with friends who are using, or to enhance their performance at some activity. Others may try drugs to help them cope with difficulties in life. Drug addictionRead MoreStigm Notes On The Management Of Spoiled Ident ity1643 Words   |  7 Pagesbook, Stigma: Notes on the management of Spoiled Identity, Erving Goffman defined stigma as an â€Å"attribute that is deeply discrediting† and that reduces the bearer â€Å"from normal being to a person that is tainted† (Goffman 1963, p. 3). It is considered a form of stereotype or labeling of a person or group based on their illness and handicap. The topic that I will be discussing in this paper is Alcoholism, how people who are alcohol dependence are stigmatized and ways to help reduce the stigma and discriminationRead MoreIs There Anybody Out There?. Maia Szalavitz, Author Of1484 Words   |  6 Pagesabout our finger-pointing mentality on drug abuse, â€Å"Addiction is one of the most serious health problems we face today, and as of 2010, more than 23 million people have an addiction to drugs, and according to the National Institutes of Health, these addictions contribute to more than 100,000 deaths per year.† Drug abuse is a major problem in the United States and throughout the world as more and more people become addicted every day. When you hear the words drug addict you think of desensitizing termsRead MoreWarning : Side Effects On Health874 Words   |  4 PagesWarning: Side Effects During a Methadone study, a misuser articulates experiences with addiction stigma by stating, â€Å"They look at you like you’re a drug addict and then they look at you like they can treat you any way they want. You know what I mean. You’re a drug addict. Well, you’re lower than I am if you use drugs.† (Earnshaw, et. al, 8). Impacts of addiction can be felt by the whole community. Administration of psychoactive medication is a valuable technique of treatment for ailments, but irresponsibleRead MoreA False Explanation Of The Nature, Purpose And Goals Of A Research Team1125 Words   |  5 Pagessurveys will be given prior to entering the program, after completion of the first step, after completion of the program, and four months after completion of the program. The between-subjects variable will be addiction type. There will be an alcohol abuser group, drug abuser group, and combined drug and alcohol group. There will be 100 participants in each group. Ti me will be the independent variable, and the dependent variable will be self-deception. Self deception will be measured by the self-deceptionRead MorePlaying The Odds On Society975 Words   |  4 Pagesin close proximity to the addict’s life are the first to recognize the illness and stigmatize the individual. The job of the addict is to remain as discreet as possible in order for his or her stigma to remain hidden from public view. But once recognition of the addict’s deviance occurs, a powerful stigma is born leading the majority of people in close relation to develop shameful views on the freshly labeled man or woman. In order to be recognized by others as an addict, there are several uniqueRead MoreMaia Szalavitz, Author Of Unbroken Brain, Points Out In1270 Words   |  6 Pagesabout our finger-pointing mentality on drug abuse, â€Å"Addiction is one of the most serious health problems we face today, and as of 2010, more than 23 million people have an addiction to drugs, and according to the National Institutes of Health, these addictions contribute to more than 100,000 deaths per year.† Drug abuse is a major problem in the United States and throughout the world as more and more people become addicted every day. When you hear the words drug addict you think of desensitizing termsRead MoreWhen You Hear The Words Drug Addict You Think Of Desensitizing1369 Words   |  6 Pagesthe words drug addict you think of desensitizing terms, like â€Å"junkie† or â€Å"crack head† and when you see someone panhandling for money on the street, passed out, or swaying in a doorway you lik ely wonder, â€Å"why don’t they just get help?† Maia Szalavitz, author of Unbroken Brain, points out an article about our finger-pointing mentality on drug abuse, â€Å"Addiction is one of the most serious health problems we face today and as of 2010, more than 23 million people have an addiction to drugs. According