How Social Perspectives Affect Addicts
Social Perspectives Can Lead To Shame
This article emphasizes social context, in addition to biological factors and shame, as a potent and challenging component in the disease of addiction. Pain avoidance and shame are major elements of modern culture that compound the biological symptoms of the disease of addiction and make it impossible for the addict to recover by sheer will power or intellect. It is recommended that such cultural signals be identified and rooted out as part of a holistic method of treatment for addicts. Such guidance is most pertinent to those suffering from the disease of addiction, but may also be of use to their families and care providers who can help identify and shape healthy ideas of self in the face of debilitating cultural cues.
While society’s view of addicts has changed dramatically over the past few decades, social perspectives still see addicts as weak. Many people don’t understand that an addict using or an alcoholic drinking isn’t a matter of weak will or poor character. Even though the disease model of addiction is widely accepted, addicts still struggle to accept their disease and ignore society’s prejudices.
We offer our students comprehensive, professional counseling to help them deal with any shame stemming from their addiction. In addition, we work closely with all of our students’ families to help care givers understand all of the components of addiction. A home that understands and nurtures recovery is crucial for young addicts. Finally, we immerse our students in the local recovery community, which places them in a social context that understands addiction and encourages recovery.
