Demystifying Stigma: Let’s Talk About Mental Health And Addictions
Addictions are considered by the World Health Organization as physical and psycho-emotional diseases. Today, it is undeniable that this problem has serious consequences for the person who suffers from it, but also for their environment and society.
However, The problem that is least talked about and that is also associated with addictions and mental health is stigma. Throughout this article we will focus on demystifying this stigma.
We must keep in mind that the concept of mental health refers to the state of mental well-being (emotional and psychological) that allows people optimal development to be able to cope with their daily lives, even when adversities appear. Internal states interfere with the way we relate to ourselves and the world.
On the other hand, the term addiction encompasses the dependence that some people develop on certain substances or behaviors (activities) despite the damage they cause to their physical or mental health. Addictions are considered complex diseases since they have both a physical and a mental (emotional) component.
Both concepts are closely related and, today, there is more and more scientific evidence that supports and explains this situation. The relationship is bidirectional. That is to say, Many people with mental disorders turn to certain substances or behaviors to alleviate or minimize their discomfort and end up developing an addiction. Along these lines, most people who suffer from addictions present mental health symptoms.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental disorders and addictions (which can also be included within mental disorders) are the main causes of disability worldwide. That is to say, the impact generated at the social level—apart from that generated at the individual level—is very strong. Therefore, it is crucial to address this situation.
The stigma associated with mental health and addictions
Stigma is one of the traces that are generated as a result of suffering from a mental disorder and/or an addiction. We could say that stigma is related to the marks or signs that are related to certain pathologies and that generate in other people certain unfavorable attitudes or beliefs that frequently manifest themselves in the form of rejection.
Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding mental health and addictions is culturally and historically ingrained. In general, it has been considered that people who end up developing an addiction are because they are “weak” or “do not have enough willpower.” However, today we know that this is far from reality.
This type of belief has caused people to express their rejection in different ways. Sometimes, overt discrimination occurs and sometimes it manifests itself in more subtle but equally devastating and harmful behaviors. It is not strange that people who suffer from addiction also suffer judgment and isolation from society.
Unfortunately, there are many individuals in our society who still think that people who have mental health problems and/or addictions are dangerous, irresponsible or even incompetent. We can see that stigma has a very important social component. However, he is not the only one. This can also affect and happen at the family level.
Finally, we cannot forget that stigma also has an individual component. Often, people who are constantly stigmatized and judged by their immediate environment and society, They end up developing certain unfavorable beliefs about themselves. This can make it extremely difficult to seek or ask for help out of fear.
Demystifying the stigma
Information and education are key and essential aspects at this point. Most beliefs linked to mental health and addictions are due to a lack of true and verified information. It is important to understand that addictions are a complex disease that encompasses psychological, but also biological and social aspects.
Commonly, Addiction or mental health disorders are related to a specific social class or typology of person. Again, this is a myth that is far from reality. Although it is true that each person has a greater predisposition to develop some pathologies or others, any human being is susceptible to suffering from a mental health disorder (including addictions).
Addictions, like mental health, are a problem that affects us all as a society. Precisely for this reason, it is so important to start promoting information based on the most up-to-date scientific evidence. Only from this point can people be accompanied in their process of recovery from the disease without interpretations, judgments or punishments.
Today we know, thanks to neuroscience, that addiction disorders have a strong impact on the brain—in addition to the rest of the body—and that, in many cases, they are linked to chemical imbalances, genetic factors and traumatic experiences. Understanding this can help us be more compassionate and eliminate the stigma that causes so much suffering.
