Addiction is a disease; stigma is a social symptom
Substance abuse disorder is not the mark of a lesser human being. But stigmatization tells us to look down on a person with addiction. It also tells them to think less of themselves.
FACT: Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior. Left untreated, substance abuse disorder is chronic, progressive and deadly. Shaming, blaming and rejection are symptoms of misunderstanding this medical disorder.
Stigma is both spoken and unspoken
Another common stigma-charged idea is that people who develop addictions are weak and therefore deserve the trouble they get into. This belief is unspoken but powerful. Thinking like this not only perpetuates the problem, it also releases people from the responsibility of becoming part of the solution.
To the addicted person, this type of stigmatization feels like rejection, whether it comes from a friend, family member, institution, or society as a whole.