March 31st, 2008 by jgold454

Many people fear being judged negatively because of their current or past substance abuse problems. This is even one of the reasons that people cite for not getting professional help from a treatment program.

They are afraid that people will find out where they are or that they’ll run into someone they know while they’re in rehab. The unfortunate truth is that it’s rather common for people to be criticized and treated unfairly due to their alcoholism or drug addiction.The reason for this discrimination is simply that the public is generally misinformed about the nature of this disease. They have a stereotypical image in their minds of what they believe an addict looks like and does. This is largely based on images portrayed in the media, including the news, television, and movies. These are generally sensationalized representations of addiction that don’t entirely reflect reality. People also have the tendency to take an experience that they have with one addict and apply it to everyone else across the board.

If you suffer from alcoholism or drug addiction, some people will have the misconception that the only reason you don’t just quit is laziness. Of course, this notion could not be further from the truth. Addiction is a disease that changes one’s brain chemistry, and it is extremely rare that a person is able to quit without the help of a rehab facility. Other people insist that addiction treatment doesn’t work, when they really know nothing about it. More judgments that you might encounter include the idea that addicts are violent, unstable, criminals, hopeless, alone in the world, and unemployed.

Experts agree that you should end relationships with friends who begin to see you as these stereotypes of drug and alcohol addiction. They are unwilling to see past their own issues to who you really are. Attempt to educate people about the nature of addiction, but don’t let those who threaten your progress in recovery into your life.