“There really is no clear guidance for people in recovery on how to deal with stigmas associated with drinking and alcohol abuse, and a lot of people in recovery grapple with shame and other issues associated with these stigmas. We’re optimistic that outlining these strategies can serve as something of a tool kit for helping people in recovery navigate these issues.”
For the examine, researchers carried out in-depth interviews with 22 U.S. adults who’ve been sober for at the very least 10 years.
The researchers recognized six methods for managing stigma. Specifically, the researchers discovered that the methods examine contributors selected depended each on whether or not they believed there was a societal stigma towards alcoholism and whether or not they felt such a stigma utilized to them. In different phrases, did they really feel society was judging them? And did they really feel ashamed about being alcoholics, though they have been in restoration?
The six methods have been:
Accepting the stigma: In this technique, contributors felt there was a societal stigma and that it utilized to them, basically incorporating the stigma into their identification. Coping behaviors right here would possibly embrace utilizing self-deprecating humor in regards to the topic.
Evading accountability for the stigma: This technique concerned contributors accepting that the stigma utilized to them, however minimizing their private accountability. That means, for instance, blaming it on hereditary components or different components past their management.
Reducing offensiveness of stigma: This concerned accepting {that a} stigma utilized to them, however specializing in the worth and significance of restoration, in addition to how they’ve modified for the higher since getting into restoration.
Avoiding the stigma: In this technique, contributors accepted that the general public stigmatizes alcoholism, however didn’t suppose the stigma utilized to them. This distances the person from the stigma as a result of they do not establish with the label of alcoholism.
Denying the stigma: This technique challenges each the general public understanding of stigma and whether or not it applies to them. Essentially, contributors using this technique imagine that no one is ideal and different folks haven’t got the suitable to evaluate them. They additionally concentrate on the truth that they’re in restoration, which is an accomplishment in itself.
Ignoring/displaying the stigma: This technique additionally challenges each the general public understanding of stigma and whether or not it applies to them. Participants utilizing this technique are open about their experiences and have interaction in advocacy to teach others and fight stereotypes about alcoholism and restoration. v
This examine is a component of a bigger physique of labor that makes clear alcoholism remains to be stigmatized in society. And different analysis means that the extra folks purchase into these stigmas, the extra doubtless they’re to battle with relapses.
“It’s also important to note that the way recovering alcoholics view themselves and the stigmas related to drinking and alcoholism are not fixed – they will shift over time as people go through the process of recovery. That means that the strategies are also not fixed. In fact, people often adopt more than one strategy at a time.”
The paper, “How People in Recovery Manage the Stigma of Being an Alcoholic,” seems within the journal Health Communication. The paper was co-authored by Mary Obiol, an undergraduate researcher at NC State.
Source: Eurekalert
