Ethics in the profession of addiction therapy – the role of a non-stigmatizing attitude

Abstract

Individuals addicted to psychoactive substances face a specific type of stigmatization. They are often viewed in terms that associate mental illness with criminality, labeling them as particularly dangerous. Mental health professionals also tend to support stereotypes about those affected by addiction, including perceived danger, unpredictability, and guilt. The stigma associated with substance use disorders is a major barrier preventing individuals from seeking and continuing treatment. This group faces stronger stigmatization compared to those with other mental disorders. The discrediting attribute is both the use of psychoactive substances as well as maintaining abstinence and treatment in a detox clinic. Those who were not socially stigmatized due to addiction may experience labeling and stigma by entering treatment, where they can be seen as “alcoholics” or “drug addicts.” Furthermore, therapists often assign and reinforce the “mentally ill” label through medical diagnoses, a label that persists even after treatment ends. Addiction remains a condition with a low therapeutic success rate. Increasingly, outdated therapy models and methods used to educate future therapists are seen as potential contributing factors. Expanding addiction therapist training to include topics related to the stigma of substance use dependence and strategies to counteract it, as well as introducing regular workshops for staff at rehabilitation centers, seems to be a solution worth consideration and study. It may improve one of the most important healing factors of psychotherapy—the therapeutic relationship—thus contributing to the increase in the effectiveness of addiction therapy.