Social Setting, Stigma Management, and Recovering Drug Addicts

Our research in the area of substance absue has taught us how problematic the stigma attached to addiction is for everyone-from the individual addict to the members of the society at large. It is our position that such stigma exacerbates social problems, rather than alleviating them. We believe that punitive social policies such as the current drug laws, are self-defeating. All of the problems related to stigma, such as general societal ignorance and intolerance, social isolation and reduced opportunities for addicts, increased stress and disrupted social interactions, are more likely to promote group segregation and resource deprivation than to deter the activity which leads to addiction. We would support instead the humane social campaign to destigmatize addiction. Through various educational strategies and changes in the allocation of resources, positive identity construction and group affliation and acceptance, and opportunity for all can be promoted.