Podcasts Health Busting Addiction and Its Myths Stigma Kills

Stigma Kills

Published: Oct. 9, 2020, 8 a.m.

In this article, we discuss how the stigma associated with addiction is a dangerous myth that keeps addicts and their families from seeing the light and seeking the help they deserve.

  1. One of the strongest barriers to seeking help with an addiction is the stigma associated with the concept of "addiction", still a taboo among traditional communities.
  2. Much of our society still sees addiction as a moral failing and believes that addicts need to be jailed, not treated.
  3. Addiction is not seen by our society as a valid disease that causes the addict to lose his power of choice and engage in purely compulsive behaviour, heedless to the consequences.
  4. The whole family becomes sick with the twisted emotions and dishonesties that obliterate normal life when there is an addict "in the house".
  5. Families have more help available than they realize if they care to educate themselves on the possibilities for reaching out and truly helping the one, they love. www.aa.org and www.al-anon.org
  6. Supporting organisations such as www.shatterproof.org\xa0can go a long way to bringing help, not punishment, to those who still suffer.