WASHINGTON DC 10/9/2011 7:25:00 PM
News / Health & Wellness

Reduction in addiction stigma sought

Stigma for addiction needs to be changed

The stigma attached to addiction is often a roadblock on the road to recovery for many addicted individuals. National Recovery Month, however, has worked to reduce this stigma through public awareness and education.

While there can be many factors that influence an individuals’ decision on whether or not to seek treatment for their addiction, one of the most prevalent deterring factors seems to be the stigma associated with being an addict and/or alcoholic.

“When most people think of addicts, the image of dirty crack houses may be the first image that comes to one’s mind,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center. “While the image can be an accurate one, for the most part, addicted individuals don’t fit that stereotype. Instead, they are ordinary people, just like us, with whom we come in contact on a regular basis. They are people who work at stores, office buildings and who have families. Unfortunately, the stereotype of the crack house addict has a tendency to further alienate an addicted individual from going into drug rehab thus perpetuating the cycle of drug and alcohol abuse. In order to reduce the social stigma of addiction, we have to be willing to confront the issue, educate the public on addiction as well as give individuals the additional tools necessary to combat the stigma of addiction. Until we can open up these avenues, the cycle of abuse will continue to rise.”

While addiction and substance abuse is a growing problem facing America, recovery is, indeed possible. If you or a loved one suspects that substance abuse or alcoholism is taking hold in your or their life, Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center can assist you in beginning the journey to recovery and living a life of sobriety.

Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center is a modern drug rehab facility that is skilled in serving a variety of clients with various addictions and in varying stages of addiction. The caring, compassionate team is made up of licensed and certified social workers and counselors who have extensive experience and specialty in the addiction treatment field. In addition, the staff includes a Nurse Practitioner, as well as a Registered Nurse, both of whom also have specializations and experience within the field of addiction treatment and alcohol rehab.

Mountainside also provides services for those individuals who come to them with dual diagnoses and require the services of a Psychiatrist to help conquer the unique challenges that dual diagnosis brings.

For the past 13 years, Mountainside has established itself as an innovator within the addiction treatment field, and the treatment modalities Mountainside utilizes are regarded as among the most cutting-edge approaches in helping individuals to get, and to remain, sober. As a result of their unique, innovative approaches to addiction treatment, Mountainside has become the model for the addiction treatment field.

The program, along with its professional addiction treatment team, have earned national recognition and resulted in Mountainside being invited to Washington by the White House to meet with the White House Drug Czar, John P. Walters, for an in-depth meeting on what makes its program so successful. These accolades did not go unnoticed within the addiction treatment field and resulted in the adoption by many throughout the country of a more holistic approach to drug addiction treatment.

If you or someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol, or if you have any questions, please contact Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center for a confidential inquiry at 800-762-5433.