7 Hurtful Stigmas about Drug and Alcohol Rehab

A lot of Americans battle with drug or alcohol addiction. And while a substance use disorder can ruin the life of the user, it can also have a detrimental impact on their loved ones. As such, someone suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction might find it in their best interest to go to rehab.

Rehabilitation centers are facilities that help people struggling with a drug addiction recover. However, going to rehab is not as straightforward.

People often shy away from checking into rehab due to the public’s stereotypes and misconceptions about drug and alcohol rehab facilities. The stigma associated with drug and alcohol rehab is due to people’s lack of understanding about substance abuse and how closely related it is to mental health.

Shedding some light on these stigmas can help tear down the misconceptions about drug and alcohol rehab and motivate you or a loved one to seek professional treatment. That said, here are some of the hurtful stigmas about drug and alcohol rehab. Visit the site for more information.

1. Drug and Alcohol Addiction Is a Choice

It is ignorant to assume that drug addicts and alcoholics are addicted by choice. Addiction is a mental disease that various factors, including genetic and environmental effects, can cause.

The truth is that people not willing to dig deeper and find out why their loved ones are struggling with addiction are often unable to help their loved ones find the help that they need.

2. Effects of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Is a Punishment

A good percentage of society does not approve of rehab as they think that drug and alcohol abuse deserve the punishment for engaging in the use of drugs and alcohol. They do not care about the professional help that rehab may provide to the affected.

3. Going to Rehab Is a Shame

Drug and alcohol rehab helps victims, and their loved ones understand the causes of their addiction and how to deal with them. Going back to the onset of the addiction can help victims understand the cause of their addiction and control future relapses.

4. People Who Go to Rehab Are Uncool and Weak

One of the most common stigmas surrounding seeking professional help from a drug and alcohol abuse rehab is that it makes you look weak and uncool. No one likes to be perceived as vulnerable, so victims may shy away from going to rehab.

5. Drug and Alcohol Addicts Are Untrustworthy

Drugs and alcohol addictions may cause victims to engage in unpleasant activities to get their fix. They may turn into theft, sex for money, and telling lies for money so they can afford to buy alcohol and drugs.

As such, people will not give drug and alcohol addicts who are seeking help a chance to prove themselves in society. This makes them shy away from seeking professional help from drug and alcohol rehab.

But that may not always be the case, especially for someone who has taken the initiative to seek rehabilitation. People should give them the benefit of the doubt, considering they are trying to change their ways.

6. Drug and Alcohol Rehab Does Not Help

Some people believe that treatment will not help the addicts. Some see it as a waste of time and resources, especially if the victims have relapsed before. However, many patients have successfully recovered with the help of rehabilitation treatment. 

7. Drug and Alcohol Addicts Lack Self-Control

Most people believe that people become addicts because they lack self-control. But that’s not true. People slip into addiction for various reasons such as being idle, a mental health disorder, or some instability in their lives.

But drug and alcohol rehab centers help patients get over their addiction by helping them with mental disorders and helping them find healthier coping mechanisms.

If you’re looking for Melbourne rehab be sure to visit The Hader Clinic.

How to Change the Narrative

Hopefully, this article will help you know what it means to be an addict and how those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction are affected. Understanding that they did not fall into it willingly can help society seek professional help for their loved ones.

Also, people should be cautious of how they talk to the person dealing with an addiction. Their language should assure the victims that they can overcome their struggles. Let them know that It is okay to seek professional help from a drug and alcohol rehab as addiction is a disease just like any other.