We, humans, love to oversimplify.
We put everything in categories, and that is alright – it makes sense because the world can often be overwhelming, and unless we have clear-cut categories, we can succumb to this informational influx that makes it difficult for us to function.
However, some oversimplifications can be harmful to others, which is a discussion that we must have openly.
Stigma is one of those oversimplifications that hurt others, and you may think that stigma is sometimes deserved, but it isn’t.
It’s arbitrary – a social construct that satisfies our immediate needs and provides imperfect and worse – wrong solutions to otherwise important questions.
That is why addiction is often cast in derogatory terms even though the condition has been recognized as a medical problem.
For non-specialists dealing with stigma can be a bit of a drag, but it’s important that we discontinue our wrong language towards those who need our help, and it’s good to know that there is always a way.
Let’s Change How We Address Stigma
Put yourself in your fellow man’s shoes.
You have a problem, and there is no help coming from anywhere any time soon.
But on top of that, you have to deal with the silent judgment passed onto you by strangers.
This much pressure can really weigh down a person, no matter what their character qualities are.
That is why it’s important to start using the appropriate language in describing addictive disorders, such as alcoholism or even gambling.
Addiction strikes without any premonitions, and once you are hooked, wriggling yourself out of its strangling hold can prove a real challenge.
However, living in a society that acknowledges this problem and doesn’t ascribe derogatory terms to it is a huge help in dealing with such conditions.
In the United States, 90% of all people who suffer from some form of mental illness – addiction included – go untreated.
In places like Denmark, though, mental wellness is a human right, and stigma is not an option.
Good Practices Matter on Every Level
Dealing with stigma is not just about vilifying the underlying problem.
Alcohol isn’t inherently bad – it’s the most widely accepted social lubricant there is, and while excess can often turn ugly, moderate drinkers have a good time all in all.
That is why when talking about stigma, we ought to address things head-on and not vilify the issue. In a way, we ought to follow the example of Michigan.
Michigan is one of the few states in the United States to have legalized both online casinos and sports gambling.
And, the state has been very successful, as evaluated by Riku Vihreasaari.
In other words, you can have an activity in the open and use the correct language to describe it in order to make sure that the public develops an understanding of what it is.
In much the same way, you can teach people and help them understand that one condition or another, such as addiction, should not be stigmatized.
It should be understood at its core. People who are addicted to one activity or another, for example, do not choose to be so.
However, it happens, and when it does, it’s important to find a way to counteract it.
The best way is to fall back on established structures that are created to help those in need, and that is precisely what you should be doing.
However, for people who suffer from one mental health problem or another to get to the point where they can reliably count on help, society must learn to use the correct language and destigmatize certain conditions just because it doesn’t understand them.