Shifting Our Approach to Addiction
In some way, most of us have been impacted by substance use and abuse. The extent and degree may vary but there is a resounding concern for how communities can effectively treat and support those who abuse these substances. Yet this has been a challenge for decades which would present the question, what are we doing wrong?
In the U.S., substance use and those who take part have often been portrayed in a negative light. The idea of recovery was that it was the sole responsibility of the one who chose to use a substance and those around were, and are still, encouraged to cut their loved ones off until they get better. But if that worked it would make sense that substance use disorders would be declining, and that's very much the opposite.
In a study conducted by Professor Bruce Alexander, they found that the opposite of addiction is not at all sobriety but is in fact connection. In 2002, Portugal decriminalized all drugs and created jobs for those getting out of treatment as well as provided micro loans for homes so that when someone got out of treatment, they were met with a community ready and willing to bring them in. This current research would suggest that we indeed have been doing those in recovery a disservice by promoting individual responsibility rather than community and connection.
If the opposite of addiction is connection, then we would benefit rethinking how we interact with those struggling with addiction in our own lives. This doesn’t mean to enable and support someone's use, but to create boundaries that do not isolate and are helpful for you to maintain a healthy relationship with someone whether they use or not. Healthy meaningful connection is linked to many positive social and psychosocial outcomes and should be able to benefit all involved. Everyone wants to belong and despite what has become custom it appears now more than ever there needs to be a shift in how we view and treat addiction.
If you would like to know more about what we now know about addiction check out the links below:
Johann Hari: Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong | TED Talk
We Need to Change Our Thinking About Addiction | Psychology Today
Opinion | How to Fix America’s Addiction Crisis - The New York Times (nytimes.com)