Getting help isn’t easy, no matter how much we need it. It’s like it’s human nature to fear backlash from being unable to do something independently – just ask anyone in school. If you ask for help from a teacher or fellow student, there’s a worry you might be seen as unintelligent. It’s the same into adulthood. When you don’t know how to perform a task at work, asking for help from someone else sometimes comes with the fear of being perceived as incompetent. You may even worry about the security of your job.
If human beings fret over situations that everyone goes through, imagine how much more challenging it is for those with alcohol use disorder to seek treatment. You might not have to imagine. Maybe you’re already in those shoes. In 2019, nearly 1 in every 25 people in Florida reported having an alcohol use disorder. More people live with this condition than we think, and yet our culture still alienates them, and makes reaching out for treatment even more difficult. The stigma of alcoholism is immense.
Tranquil Shores is trying to reduce that stigma. Even if talking about alcohol use disorder can be difficult, yet every time we shed a little more light on the realities and complexities of this condition we make the weight of that stigma a little lighter for those living with an alcohol use disorder. We hope that anyone with alcohol use disorder reading this blog feels less alone and that anyone without it challenges any preconceived notions they had that contribute to the stigma of alcohol use disorder.
The Stereotype & Stigma of Alcoholism (Alcohol Use Disorder)
What do you think of when you hear the word “alcoholic?” Maybe it’s a middle-aged man who lays around drinking most of the day. You might even think he’s “lazy,” and he might have a tumultuous relationship with his wife and be an absent father. Think about that for a second.
While statistically, more men have alcohol use disorder than women, the difference is low. In 2020, 13% of men reported having an alcohol use disorder, but so did 9% of women. Alcohol use disorders can impact anyone.
Even the words we say, like “alcoholism” or “alcoholic,” contribute to stigma. It reduces the person with an alcohol use disorder to their condition, and leaves room for the belief that alcohol dependence is a moral failing. The reality of the situation is that everyone with an alcohol use disorder is a person with values and complexities just like anyone else. More than that, they are people with a health condition in need of treatment, just like people with a physical health condition.
You wouldn’t judge or blame someone for having cancer. Why is it so easy to blame people with substance use disorders for their conditions? Long-term alcohol use that leads to the development of an alcohol use disorder changes the brain to make it even harder to stop drinking. People who fall on alcohol as a coping mechanism typically have an undiagnosed mental health condition or unaddressed trauma in their lives. None of that is their fault.
If we want to make it easier for people with alcohol use disorder to heal, we need to change how we talk about it, and how we think about it.
Why the Stigma Facing Alcoholism (Alcohol Use Disorder) is Dangerous
The stigma of alcohol use disorder isn’t just about making people with the condition feel bad. It has a real, tangible impact on lives and health outcomes.
People Have Trouble Recognizing a Problem
Because the stigma of alcohol use disorder makes the condition seem like such a bad thing, no one wants to believe they have it. No one wants to believe they have cancer, either, but instead of denying the possibility, they’ll go to a doctor to see if they have reason to be concerned, or if they’re in the clear. Someone with an alcohol use disorder may not recognize their alcohol use is problematic because they’re making the judgment off of preconceived notions of what “bad alcohol use” is. They might think, “I’m not as bad as that,” or, “I still have my job.” Unfortunately, many people with alcohol use disorder look down on those with the condition before coming to terms with the fact that they have it, too. This can cause a significant delay in seeking treatment, and additional health complications from alcohol use that could be avoided without stigma.
People Are Afraid to Get Help
Stigma also makes it difficult for people with alcohol use disorder to get help. It can be challenging even to open up to loved ones out of fear of judgment, and even harder to leave home and seek treatment somewhere else. People with alcohol use disorder may even fear a lack of empathy in any treatment they receive due to the strength of stigma. In some cases, stigma may make those with alcohol use disorder feel so bad about themselves, they may not think they deserve help.
People Receive Judgment After Recovery
Even once someone takes the brave step of going through treatment and conquering their alcohol use disorder, the stigma doesn’t go away. Overcoming an alcohol use disorder isn’t easy; it’s an accomplishment that people should celebrate and be proud of. Unfortunately, that often isn’t the case. Some people may share that they’re in recovery from an alcohol use disorder, only for people to look down on them or think differently of them. They may, intentionally or subconsciously, think the person in recovery is weak for developing an alcohol use disorder in the first place. That isn’t the case at all. People who overcome alcohol use disorders are incredibly strong.
Stigma Increases the Risk of Relapse
With a lack of a supportive environment comes the chance of an individual returning to alcohol use. Some people in recovery may think, “If people think badly of me no matter what, what does it matter if I drink or not?” It would be discouraging for anyone, and people in recovery need encouragement to stay alcohol-free.
While returning to alcohol use is never ideal, it can be a part of someone’s recovery journey. Having to return to treatment doesn’t need to be a source of shame, and doing so doesn’t make anyone’s recovery any less valuable or legitimate. It’ll just require a little extra work and should be a source of even more pride in the end.
Confronting and Conquering the Stigma of Alcoholism (Alcohol Use Disorder)
Now that we know the dangers of the stigma of alcohol use disorder, what do we do to change it? How do we diminish those dangers, and eventually get rid of them altogether? It’ll take education and empathy, and it’ll take all of us.
First, how we talk about alcohol use disorder matters. Use “alcohol use disorder” instead of “alcoholism,” “person with an alcohol use disorder” instead of “alcoholic” or “drunk,” and “person in recovery” instead of “recovering alcoholic.” No one wants to be referred to like their condition defines who they are, especially if people think poorly of that condition. Even people in remission from cancer probably wouldn’t like being referred to as a “cancer patient,” instead of something that better celebrates their recovery and the depth of them as a person. Always use people-first language.
We also need to move away from the idea that alcohol use disorder is a choice. Of course, taking that first sip of alcohol, and drinking more after that, involves some aspect of choice. Many other factors contribute to developing an alcohol use disorder, though, including genetics, undiagnosed mental health conditions, trauma, drinking during adolescence, and stress. Making this more well-known will help reduce stigma.
It’s important to treat alcohol use disorder like the health condition it is, too. It isn’t a hopeless situation. There is evidence-based, effective treatment available, and everyone is capable of recovery. It isn’t something individuals should go through alone, and no one should expect them to, either. Seeking help for alcohol use disorder should be normalized and encouraged instead of demonized.
Seeking Alcoholism (Alcohol Use Disorder) Treatment in Pinellas County, Florida
If alcohol use disorder has impacted your life, you may know some of this information already. There’s a high chance there were some you weren’t aware of, too. That’s okay. There’s no shame in needing to learn more about the stigma of alcohol use disorder, just like there’s no shame in needing treatment for alcohol use disorder. There is alcohol rehab available for anyone ready to start their recovery, and we hope this blog encourages you to take the first step.
Tranquil Shores is ready to help you start your recovery journey today. You can find comfort in the fact that our staff is compassionate and eager to help, and they’ll know you and work with you closely. We have a 3:1 client-to-counselor ratio, ensuring you’ll always receive the individual support and care you deserve. Call us at 727-391-7001 to start the peaceful and private treatment you deserve.
FAQs
What is self-stigma in addiction?
Self-stigma refers to the negative feelings and shame people with substance use disorders feel for themselves because of their conditions.
How can we reduce the stigma of alcoholism?
We can reduce the stigma of alcohol use disorder by using person-first language, dispelling myths about alcohol use disorder, making sure everyone knows help is available, and talking about it more in general.
