When it comes to drug addiction, the sad and scary truth is that nearly 1 in 10 Americans suffers from addiction . Unfortunately, addiction it does not discriminate. No matter your age, sex, or race, a person can suffer from addiction.
Close to 25 million Americans over the age of 12 suffer from addiction, yet less than 10-percent actually receive the help they need. Instead, millions are losing their battle to addiction with overdose deaths steadily on the rise. Why is this happening? Stigma guys preventing drug addicts from getting the help they need.
Why is Stigma Harming Addicts?
Undeniably, stigma affects us all. Never everyone has felt stigmatized at some point during their life. Individuals suffering from drug addiction are already dealing with a lot. The fact that people look down on them has a negative impact over their chance of recovery.
Each year, we see a drastic increase in the number of overdose deaths. A lot of people respond negatively, saying addicts deserve to die because of what they are doing. This is one of the inhumane responses a person can have to a helpless situation.
People with drug addictions are often treated like they are wrongdoers rather than recognized as dealing with a sickness – and this is a major problem.
Addiction Does Not Make a Person Bad
The fact that a person is addicted to a substance does not mean they deserve to be neglected or left to die. Just because a person is an addict does not mean they are a bad person. There are a lot of wonderful, loving people trapped in the cycle of addiction. Stigmas generally prevent addicts from getting help because it causes self-esteem and mental health problems.
When an addict feels like society is looking down on them, they are less likely to reach out for help. More often, they fall further into depression and use to numb their emotions. This often leads to further isolation and a cycle that is extremely hard to break out of.
Unfortunately, individuals exposed to stigma regarding their addiction are less likely to get the help they desperately need. It is important for anyone suffering from an addiction to realize that their life is truly valuable, regardless of their drug use. Being an addict does not mean you have to be a prisoner to your addiction.
At Asana Recovery, we truly recognize each person as an individual no matter what problems they are dealing with. Our detox program is designed to provide a safe and caring environment for patients beginning treatment. Patients are offered various detox therapies that help them make it through the process with the fewest possible side effects.
The first important step in recovery is a successful detox and we are here to work through it with you. We have a supportive staff that is available 24-hours to help make sure you are comfortable and safe through the entire process. Call our admission staff at (949) 438-4504 to see how our detox program can help you recover from addiction.
