Some people might not care for today’s date because they’re superstitious and wary of the number thirteen. Other people may scoff and say that such superstitions are silly.
The truth is, most of us have opinions that others might think are silly. Is it that way with substance use disorder? Many people are fighting different opinions about substance use disorder.
Not that long ago, there were very strong stigmas against substance use disorder and mental health conditions. These stigmas held that people who suffered from such disorders did so because they were morally flawed. They were doing something wrong. At best, other people pitied them for their drinking or drug use. At worst, they punished them.
Things are better now, but not 100% better. Many people view substance use disorder and mental disorders as illnesses. In this view, people who suffer from such conditions aren’t doing so because they lack morals. They’re suffering because they’re sick and need help.
Such help is available, but some people are still reluctant to seek it. In part, that’s because the stigmas still linger to some degree. The stigmas that say that substance use disorderrs and the mentally ill are morally corrupt and crazy instead of sick.
I’m encouraged, though, that so many people are willing to share their mental health and substance use disorder stories. I think these stories can make great strides in eliminating the stigmas. They show that people who have mental conditions and people who abuse substances are as “normal” (whatever that means) as anyone else.
People who have sought successful treatment can show others that help is available and can be effective. We’ve all seen the advertisements for weight loss products where skinny people wear enormous pairs of pants, visual indicators of the before and after of their weight loss journeys. Testimonials by people who have struggled with substance use disorder and/or mental health issues could do the same thing. Seeing and hearing is believing, and it could help people believe in themselves enough to seek help.
