Every year, millions of people in this country go without treatment for a drug or alcohol problem because they feel ashamed about going to rehab and afraid of what others might think.
Such fears are understandable. People with addiction face greater levels of stigmatization, after all. Drug use was the most stigmatized condition relative to others (such as being homeless, being HIV positive or having a criminal record), according to a World Health Organization survey of 14 countries. (Alcohol use was the fourth most stigmatized condition.)
Americans also have significantly more negative opinions of people with addiction than of people with mental illness, a 2013 study by Johns Hopkins researchers found.
The good news is that stigma-related shame and fear ultimately don’t have to rob anyone of a fighting chance at recovery. On that note, the following tips are intended to ease any personal concerns about the process of going to rehab, including how to move past the judgement of others to put your recovery first.
WATCH: Russell Brand Explains – In the Absence of Self-Love ‘We’re All Addicted to Something’
Remember that you have a right to medical privacy and confidentiality in the rehab process.
As a patient, you have privacy protections under state and federal law. For example, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records impose tight federal restrictions on the use and disclosure of private health information. Violations of these laws are punishable by fine. If you believe your patient privacy has been violated, you can file a formal complaint with the government.
Many states have added further legal protections that rehab providers must uphold in order to protect your privacy. Additionally, anonymity is a core principle of 12-step group therapies that may be offered in various programs. These programs follow the same standards as medical facilities.
Identify whether shame or fear is the bigger obstacle for you.
Shame is very internalized and takes time to contend with. Often it can be tied to feelings of self-loathing and worthlessness that have deep roots in the past. Sometimes shame can serve as an excuse to avoid treatment…
