Transformation is Real!

#SupportNotStigma

Reducing stigma for addiction recovery individuals by bringing support, resources, love, and compassion in their recovery journey.

When it comes to addiction recovery, stigma refers to negative attitudes and beliefs that are held about people who struggle with addiction. These negative attitudes and beliefs can lead to discrimination, prejudice, and other forms of social exclusion, which can make it difficult for people who are in recovery to access the support and resources that they need. Stigma can also create feelings of shame and self-doubt, which can make it harder for people to seek help and stay committed to their recovery.

HOW STIGMA AFFECTS ADDICTION RECOVERY

It can prevent individuals with addiction from seeking help in the first place, due to fear of judgment or discrimination. This can lead to a delay in treatment, which can make recovery more difficult.

Stigma can make it difficult for people in recovery to feel accepted and supported by their friends, family, and community, which can be a crucial part of the recovery process.

Stigma can lead to discrimination in areas such as employment or housing, which can make it difficult for people in recovery to rebuild their lives and maintain their recovery.

What People in Recovery Say About Stigma

Encouragement is one of the first steps on the road to healing

Support helps. Stigma harms

Protect your recovery. Find support

Stigma hurts, don’t pass it on!

How you can help in reducing stigma

You can do a lot to prevent addiction recovery related stigma. The following are a few tips that you can implement to prevent or diminish addiction recovery related stigma.

Learn more, which you’re already doing by being on this page so kudos to you!

Listen, don’t judge! Keep the support. People in addiction can recover and live happy and healthy lives.

Educate yourself. Learn the terms to avoid such as addict, user, problem, disease, alcoholic.

Be mindful of the language you use. Words matter. Labels can lead to stigma. And stigma can lead to discrimination.

Say “people with addiction”,”people with addictive disorder”,or “people with alcoholism”

Don’t define people by their disorder. Addiction is not what a person is. Addiction is what a person has.

Treat people with dignity. Respond to misperceptions or negative comments with factual based knowledge.

Educate others about addiction and recovery by sharing information about the causes and symptoms of addiction, as well as the effectiveness of different treatments.

You can advocate for policies and practices that support addiction recovery, such as access to quality treatment and support services.

Be supportive of individuals in recovery, and to show them respect and compassion. This can be as simple as offering words of encouragement or providing practical support such as transportation to treatment.

Spread the word! Share this page with others as this is one of the most important actions you can take to help eliminate stigma!

Help Stop Stigma: Turn Your Voice into Action. Take the SupportNotStigma Pledge

  • I acknowledge the existence of stigma on the addiction recovery community.
  • I understand that addiction is a chronic health condition, and I pledge to eliminate the stigma for individuals experiencing it.
  • I commit to learning more about the health condition of addiction, and to changing the conversation surrounding it.
  • I will encourage individuals to seek the help and treatment needed to address addiction by providing a shame-free environment.
  • For individuals in recovery, I pledge to support them through their lifelong journey to a self-directed, safe, productive, and successful life.

Join us in our mission to reduce the stigma around addiction recovery by clicking the link below to explore our range of programs and services.

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