Throughout the ages, addiction has been treated as a bad way of lifestyle or a lack of self-control. It is seen as a matter of choice of using any substance. If a person opens up about their struggle with addiction they are labelled as addicts.
But on the other hand, the struggle with addiction is real. It is more than a matter of choice. The effects of alcohol could be crippling and long-lasting.
It is important to note that addiction is not an age-specific problem. Addiction is seen from ages 10 to 75 years. The prevalence rate of alcohol use is much higher among men (about 27.3%) as compared to women (1.6%)
Use of substances like alcohol, drugs, binge eating, gambling, or gaming releases dopamine. Dopamine is a good-feel neurotransmitter and has many other functions. In the context of addiction, dopamine is associated with a sense of reward. It plays the role of a reward centre. Dopamine is released with your sense of achievement and to reinforce the desirable activity. Now when we binge eat, do drugs, nicotine, or alcohol, dopamine is released in abundance. That means, now your brain associates those activities as to be repeated for pleasure or in other words for the release of dopamine. The brain gives a signal to go for a smoke, alcohol or binge eat.
Dopamine release makes a person feel happy, focused, and motivated. Now when this behaviour is repeated the brain circuits change developing tolerance. When tolerance is developed a person needs more alcohol, nicotine, or activity.
So, it is more complex than we think.
Stigma comes into the picture because people are unaware of how substances or behaviours affect brain chemistry.
Therefore, awareness and psychoeducation are necessary.
Stigma is a negative perception of addiction and people suffering from substance abuse disorder. It affects the level of self-esteem. They are treated like ‘an addict always will be an addict’.
‘They are incapable of working.’
‘They can never be better’
‘It’s just their bad lifestyle.’
Well, it is not true. Addiction is a disease that can be cured.
Addiction was classified as a disease in 1957. It’s been years but still, people find it hard to accept it as a disease and not merely a matter of choice.
These statements snatch the opportunity to get better. It is the sound of you cannot do it or the individual is doing alcohol or drugs intentionally.
Stigma is shown through prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination. Stereotypes are negative beliefs about addictions and people suffering from addictions. Prejudice is the negative emotions that are shown to people suffering from addictions. People suffering from addictions are treated differently and are discriminated against when it comes to opportunity.
Individuals suffering from addiction are most affected by family. The family wants the best for them so they take adverse steps and stop trusting them. This again pushes people into the hole. In many cases, families have taken the help of centres that provide inhumane treatment. Families are concerned about what society will say and affects the individual, family, and their relationships.
Stigma stops the individual from reaching out to help. Society labels them as addicts and incapable, which interferes with family, work, and social life. So, even if anyone realises the problem, they hide it and avoid reaching professionals. Hiding the addiction might make the individual feel helpless and stuck in a loop.
Diagnosis and treatment are important in terms of addiction and substance use disorder.
Let’s start by reminding you that addiction does not define you and you are much more than that.
You can get better. You need the right treatment and resources to get better.
Even though it feels impossible to get better right now, it is possible. We have worked with countless cases so we know it gets better.
Right treatment resources are medications that relieve symptoms and help you with cravings.
Therapy and yoga are other ways to rewire your body and modify your behaviour.
A deaddiction centre provides holistic care to deal with the issue. There is the stigma associated with deaddiction centres as well. Deaddiction centres are considered to be filthy unhygienic or violent places filled with bad people. There have been cases where people had bad experiences with deaddiction centres and those experiences somehow define deaddiction centres. The centres are known for inhumane treatment. But times have changed.
On the contrary, Veda is a luxury rehab in Delhi with the best addiction deaddiction treatment in Delhi. Veda provides outstanding services and a nurturing, and supportive environment. Veda, the best alcohol and drug rehab in Delhi provides you with psychiatric consultation, psychologists, and nutritionists. The centre provides a space to continue your work and stay active in the gym.
If you are struggling with addiction, it is your chance to break the cycle of stigma. Reach out for help. You can do this and you are more than your addiction.
