The nature of the problems from substance abuse disorder affects public opinion about rehab. There is a stigma associated with rehab because a person who has a drug or alcohol addiction could be considered to be an emotionally weak person. The family members of the person who wants to go to a rehab facility could believe that the person does not have enough inner strength to control his or her behavior.
STIGMA FROM A DRUG OR ALCOHOL ADDICTION
One of the primary problems that many patients experience is from friends and relatives who believe that the person chooses to cause problems with addiction. With some information from a treatment program, a patient and family members would be prepared to control the problem. The stigma from rehab is associated with the social problems for the person who has the addiction, which could prevent the person from being offered a job or from being included in social groups.
PUBLIC OPINIONS ABOUT REHAB
Health care information about a patient is confidential because the patient should be protected from problems, such as problems from any person who could use information about a medical diagnosis to cause problems. The difficulties with an addiction to drugs or alcohol are interrupted differently than other medical problems, such as diabetes or cancer because a patient could avoid drugs or alcohol to control an addiction. The stigma usually reflects a negative public opinion about the quality of the character traits of a person who suffers from addiction.
SERIOUS PROBLEMS FROM A DRUG OR ALCOHOL ADDICTION
The information from a treatment program is vital for patients who cannot easily assess the problem. The patients would have poor judgment skills while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. With more information about the problem, a patient could quickly recognize the potential problems associated with addiction. Some patients have unfortunately decided to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which creates a life-threatening situation for the individual and other passengers.
A STIGMA CAN BLOCK DECISIONS ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN TREATMENT PROGRAMS
The problems from an addiction, such as unsafe drivers and workers who could cause an injury at a workplace, are strong motivational factors for a person to participate in a rehab program. The person may also experience problems with his or her family and may not be able to fulfill family obligations, such as cooking meals and doing the laundry. The person may want to go to a rehab facility but could be afraid of the social problems and work-related problems from public knowledge about the addiction.
FAMILY MEMBERS MAY OPPOSE REHAB
Some family members may not recognize the severity of the problems associated with addiction because they may falsely believe that a person can easily control a drug or alcohol problem. The treatment programs at a rehab facility in a different city can be the best option for a person who wants to get away from a social environment, such as friends who have a drug or alcohol problem. Most of the family members may not want the person to quit a job to participate in a treatment program.
FAMILY PROBLEMS FROM REHAB
Some family members could believe that the problems from a relative who has an addiction could affect the social position of the family. The children in the family may not be invited to attend parties or may not be permitted to play on little league sports teams. Some neighbors may not want the family members to participate in a neighborhood block party or to join a nearby church.
FACTORS FOR THE STIGMA FROM REHAB
There is a different social perspective for a person who invites a neighbor, who has an eating disorder, to join an exercise program with a group who takes daily walks in a neighborhood than for a person who wants to avoid a neighbor who has a drug or alcohol addiction. The neighbor who had recently gained a few extra pounds and who has an eating disorder would probably not use the eating disorder to cause a life-threatening situation in the neighborhood.
FAMILY PROBLEMS FROM A DRUG OR ALCOHOL ADDICTION
Addiction can cause serious problems for a family. The family members and the person who has the addiction should discuss the problems. With open discussions, each person would have an opportunity to recommend some suggestions for controlling the issue. The person who has the addiction may not know about all of the problems that he or she has caused the family, such as late homework assignments from the children. If family members stage an intervention, then a group could discuss the problems.
BENEFITS FROM INFORMATION ABOUT A DRUG OR ALCOHOL ADDICTION
One of the key benefits of a treatment program is the opportunity to get some professional information about addiction. The person who has the addiction would probably recognize many of the pitfalls that are mentioned by a therapist. An addiction can cause angry and violent outbursts and is usually associated with a group of friends who also have a drug or alcohol problem.
PROBLEMS FROM THE STIGMA FROM REHAB
Precautions are important for a person who wants to participate in a treatment program. The primary objective is to get some help to control the problem. The person who has the addiction should recognize the issues from the stigma and should make some plans to participate in rehab without jeopardizing his or her opportunities for future success. The privacy factor is especially important for health care services at a rehab facility.
PATIENTS WITHOUT FAMILY SUPPORT DURING REHAB
Many patients participate in treatment programs without any support from family members because the patient has caused serious problems, such as stealing money from family members to buy drugs or wrecking a car. The person who has the addiction should realize that he or she must make independent decisions to control the problem. The process can be more difficult without some help from family members, but with treatment, the person will be prepared to control the problem.
SOCIAL GROUPS FOR SUPPORT AFTER REHAB
The social groups for support after rehab are especially crucial because the stigma from rehab can prevent a person from openly sharing his or her feelings about the addiction and the rehab process. The groups for Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous provide support for a person who could feel alienated in other social groups where the members do not have an addiction to drugs or alcohol.
SOCIAL PROBLEMS FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER
Some of the problems from substance abuse disorder are different from other addiction problems, such as an eating disorder or a gambling problem. The eating disorder can be controlled with an outpatient therapy program and with a diet and exercise program. The person who wants to gamble could avoid all opportunities for placing a bet. The problems from a drug or alcohol addiction include impaired judgment skills from the influence of drugs or alcohol, which could cause a life-threatening situation for innocent victims.
LIFE AFTER REHAB
The stigma from a drug or alcohol addiction will be a lifelong problem because the person must always use precautions to control the addiction. After rehab, the patient will be responsible for controlling a particular problem that is not experienced by everyone else. The patient should try to improve his or her self-esteem and self-confidence. There should be a new lifestyle with new friends and new activities, such as painting, exercise programs, or gourmet cooking classes.