Overcoming self-stigma is a crucial part of addiction recovery, as internalized negative beliefs can significantly hinder healing. Self-stigma occurs when individuals adopt societal judgments about addiction and turn them inward, leading to shame, low self-esteem, secrecy, isolation, and even delayed treatment or relapse. Northstar Recovery Center and Roaring Brook Recovery offer comprehensive addiction treatment programs in Massachusetts—such as day treatment, IOP, and evening outpatient options—that specifically address self-stigma. Through group, individual, and family therapy, clients are given safe spaces to explore their experiences, gain support, and challenge self-limiting beliefs. These programs promote self-compassion and understanding, helping individuals build confidence and lasting recovery.
Overcoming Self-Stigma in Addiction Recovery
Addiction is highly stigmatized in our society. Stigma often refers to other people’s perceptions of substance abuse, but it can also be internalized. For this reason, overcoming self-stigma in addiction recovery can be crucial. Northstar Recovery Center is here to help you or your loved one heal from drug and alcohol abuse, which often includes untangling internalized stigma.
What is Self-Stigma?
First, what is self-stigma? The American Psychological Association (APA) Dictionary of Psychology defines stigma as “The negative social attitude attached to a characteristic of an individual that may be regarded as a mental, physical, or social deficiency.” It implies social disapproval, potentially leading to unfair discrimination, exclusion, and other unwarranted and unjust treatment. This could be from other people, and it could also occur through systems, such as the healthcare system.
Self-stigma happens when you internalize these attitudes, beliefs, or expectations and direct them inward, toward yourself. When self-stigma remains unchallenged, it can have a negative impact on you and your recovery.
Negative Effects of Self-Stigma in Addiction Recovery
Negative effects of self-stigma in addiction recovery may include:
- Secrecy and social isolation: Self-stigma can sometimes lead people to hide their struggles from others. Some people may isolate socially for this reason. Unfortunately, addiction tends to thrive on secrecy, whereas social support is crucial in recovery.
- Delay in treatment: One of the biggest potential adverse consequences of unaddressed self-stigma is the risk of delaying treatment or not seeking it out.
- Impacts on self-perception: Self-stigma typically means carrying negative thoughts or beliefs about yourself. This can reinforce feelings of inadequacy, shame, or low self-esteem.
- Relapse: In addition to delays in treatment, the effects of self-stigma (e.g., low self-esteem, isolation) may leave you more vulnerable to relapse.
The good news is that overcoming self-stigma is within your control, even if it is not something that happens overnight.
Overcoming Self-Stigma in Addiction Recovery
Overcoming self-stigma in addiction recovery is crucial. It is a process, and it may take time, but putting in the work can set you free from the effects of self-stigma. It is important that you don’t try to do it all on your own. Addiction treatment can help you work through self-stigma and build the life you want.
Roaring Brook Recovery offers multiple outpatient addiction treatment programs, including day treatment, partial day treatment, and evening intensive outpatient. Online, in-person, and hybrid schedules are available to make treatment accessible.
How Addiction Treatment Addresses Self-Stigma
As for how addiction treatment addresses self-stigma, therapy sessions at our center are held in different formats. Each one can help you address self-stigma in unique ways:
Group Therapy In Massachusetts
Group therapy sessions provide an excellent opportunity for clients to share their experiences with one another and receive support. You can talk about self-stigma with others who have been through the same, which can help you decrease shame, move forward, and break through the secrecy that addiction may otherwise thrive in. Our programs offer group therapy in Massachusetts three to six times per week, depending on your level of care (e.g., day treatment vs. partial day treatment). They create a sense of community while helping you learn addiction recovery skills and process concerns like self-stigma.
Individual Therapy In Massachusetts
We offer individual therapy in Massachusetts as a vital component of our programs. These sessions occur once weekly. They give you the chance to talk about what’s on your mind and focus on your personal goals. Individual therapy can help you work through challenges like self-stigma one-on-one with a therapist who will keep what you say confidential, giving you the chance to discuss things you may not want to in a group environment.
Family Therapy In Massachusetts
In addition to group and individual therapy sessions, our programs offer family therapy in Massachusetts. Family therapy is strongly recommended during the addiction recovery process when possible. On the topic of self-stigma, family therapy can increase the understanding your loved ones have of substance abuse, as well as your personal experiences. This can help you all heal collectively while improving your relationship.
Call Northstar Recovery Center for Help Overcoming Self-Stigma in Addiction Recovery
Northstar Recovery Center takes a whole-person approach to substance abuse treatment. A major part of addiction recovery is working on how you see yourself and your ability to succeed, problem-solve, and build a life you’re proud of moving forward. For this reason, breaking free from self-stigma is a must. Call Northstar Recovery Center for help overcoming self-stigma in addiction recovery today at (833) 853-8153.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an example of a stigmatizing myth about people with substance use disorders?
An example of a stigmatizing myth about people with substance use disorders is that individuals facing substance abuse do not recover. In reality, recovery is very possible, and over 70 percent of people who identify themselves as having had a problem with substance abuse now consider themselves recovered or in recovery.
How does stigma affect people with substance use disorders?
Stigma, including both self-stigma and stigma from outside sources, can affect people with substance use disorders in multiple ways. Feelings of shame caused by self-stigma may enforce drug-seeking behavior; stigma in healthcare settings can affect access to treatment and may lead to a poorer quality of care. Working through stigma related to addiction is essential. Improving the understanding of substance use disorders and replacing stigmatizing language are two steps that can be taken to help.
Can cognitive behavioral therapy help with self-stigma?
Yes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the therapeutic modalities used at our centers, can help you address self-stigma. CBT teaches skills such as cognitive reframing, which can help you challenge negative thoughts about yourself, replacing them with something more realistic and productive.
What’s an example of cognitive reframing for self-stigma?
An example of a self-stigmatizing thought you might have could be, “I can’t do this; I will fail.” To reframe that thought, you might think, “I am learning to do this.” This can help you shift your perspective, making it more supportive of your recovery. It is essential to believe in yourself and your capacity to effect change. The Northstar Recovery team is here to help.
Can acceptance and commitment therapy help with self-stigma?
Yes. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which emphasizes goals like acceptance and psychological flexibility, can be helpful in addressing self-stigma. Like CBT, ACT is an effective treatment for people with substance use disorders. Used in conjunction with other therapies as part of a comprehensive approach, ACT is one of the therapeutic modalities employed in our programs. ACT can support abstinence, psychological flexibility, and other positive outcomes.
