Stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. For decades addicts were only thought of as bad people who choose to continue to abuse substances, even associated with criminal activity. A study done by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in 2014, the general public was more likely to have negative attitudes towards those dealing with drug addiction than those who were dealing with mental illness. Researchers also found that people don’t generally support insurance, housing, and employment policies that benefited people who were substance addicts. Many people don’t think that someone they know or love or even themselves can become addicted to substances. Even after the first time doing crack cocaine a user can become addicted or overdose. Addiction does get worse with more and more use as well as a building tolerance for the substance. However, there are constant discoveries about the effects of drugs on the human brain, body, and how to treat addiction in the best possible way. A relatively new development is a new understanding of co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis. Co-occurring disorders are when someone is diagnosed with a mental health disorder as well as an alcohol or drug use dependence. Many people who suffer from mental health issues and do not receive the correct treatment may themselves start using different substances to self-medicate and thus become addicts as well.
The History of Addiction & Mental Health Stigma
Mental health disorders have been around for centuries and treatments and theories have been around just as long. Some of the first theories to explain mental illnesses were demonic possession or some other form of supernatural phenomenon. During the Neolithic Age or New Stone Age about 10,200 B.C. to anywhere between 4500 and 2000 B.C. they tried to let the “evil spirits” escape the brain by chipping a hole into the skull of the patient. Through studies of these skulls some healing occurred, which means some people survived the e”procedure.” During the Mesopotamian era many priests or other “holy people” used forms of exorcisms as a way to help. This was how most ancient civilizations dealt with mental illness. In the Middle ages they tried to treat the illness by purging the body either by inducing vomiting or bowel movements or bloodletting. Throughout the centuries mentally ill people were cared for by family members but many were hidden away so as to not “bring shame or dishonor” onto the family. In the 17th century they started using sedatives to keep patients calm and ease their problems. When asylums were first opened they were more so a place to abandon these individuals. It wasn’t really until the mid-to-late 1800s when conditions in asylums improved and different methods of treatment were considered. A well known treatment, especially for those with schizophrenia, was electric shock therapy. Another, treatment used was lobotomies, where an instrument similar to an ice pick was inserted through the top of the eye sockets of patients in induced comas to severe the nerves connecting the emotion-controlling center of the brain and the nerves in the frontal lobes. In the 1950s, drugs started to be used commonly to control symptoms of mental disorders.
Obviously, over the centuries situations and stigmas about mental health disorders have improved immensely. The development of psychology and psychiatry have helped the general public and even those suffering with the disorder to understand what is happening in the mind. Discoveries of the human brain, neurotransmitters and how they affect the brain and body also offer more understanding and even ideas for treatments for these illnesses. These disorders are scientifically proven and treatments have been found that offer the patients a long and healthy life.
Utah Advocating for Addiction & Mental Health Awareness
While things are improving for both those suffering with addiction and those with mental health disorders, there is still a lot more ground to be covered. Every year the Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness (USARA) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) gather together with hundreds of Utahns at the Rally for Recovery. This year was the ninth annual rally at the capital to bring awareness to substance abuse and mental health issues, continue to make strides for them, to celebrate those who have made it through treatment and live in recovery, and remember those who lost their battles with addiction or mental illness. These rallys and the growing information and data surrounding these subjects help break down the stigmas and help make treatment more readily available to those who need it. To learn more about this rally red our blog “Utah Takes A Stand”.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
If you are suffering with a substance addiction or co-occurring disorder there is help, there is treatment, and their is life after treatment. With the right addiction and mental health treatment you can live a long and healthy life, and it starts with one phone call. Please contact our admissions team at 1-888-986-7848 today.
