Social Stigma and Substance Use: How Society’s Perception of Women with Substance Use Disorders Impacts Treatment
When we talk about social stigma and substance use disorders, it’s the women and mothers who often bear the brunt of negative perceptions and the weight of guilt and shame. It’s this factor, in fact, that often plays a major role in preventing women from receiving the type of effective treatment and recovery they need, creating long-lasting impacts not just for them but for their families as well.
In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the role social perceptions have on women and mothers with substance dependence issues, with a particular focus on how stigma and shame can affect treatment-seeking and successful recovery. Finally, we’ll offer a few ways to break down stereotypes and create more inclusive treatment programs to address the specific needs of women and mothers suffering from substance use disorders.
Stigma and Substance Use Disorders in Women & Mothers
Stigma is a powerful, unobservable force that can greatly impact the lives of women facing mental health issues and substance use disorders. It stems from a societal perception that, for the most part, labels women suffering from these problems, mothers in particular, as promiscuous, morally flawed, or otherwise “bad.”
Three main types of stigma can affect a woman’s road to recovery:
- Social/Public Stigma – Social/public stigma refers to individuals who are devalued by the broader society due to a particular characteristic or condition, leading to social exclusion, isolation, and discrimination.
- Self-Stigma – Also called internalized stigma, this is when individuals begin to internalize and believe negative stereotypes about themselves, developing feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem in the process.
- Structural Stigma – Whereby societal and institutional policies and practices perpetuate discrimination and prejudice against stigmatized individuals, creating structural barriers to treatment and other resources.
Each of these three types of stigmas are interconnected. Public stigma contributes to self-stigma, which in turn becomes internalized alongside the barriers caused by structural stigmatization. Consequently, women and mothers may develop a hesitancy to seek assistance for mental health and/or substance use disorders.
The Intersection of Women’s Substance Use Disorders and Guilt and Shame in Recovery
Shame is a powerful and deeply painful emotion, and it is a significant driver behind substance dependency, relapse, and treatment-seeking decisions. For many women and mothers, societal expectations, along with the idealized image of a woman as a nurturing caregiver, weigh heavy on them.
When substance dependence leads to behaviors that go against society’s standards, smearing the idealized image, guilt, and shame are often the first emotions to creep in. Fear of being judged and ostracized then intensifies the shame, creating a desire to escape society’s eye and numb the pain.
Even for those who do seek treatment, guilt, and shame in recovery can negatively impact their success, with internalized shame often leading to a lack of self-belief that they can stay committed to the process.
Effects of Stigmatization of Substance Use and Gender on Treatment Seeking and Recovery
Women face multiple barriers when trying to seek treatment for substance use disorders, including:
- Limited access to services
- Financial and transportation constraints
- Childcare responsibilities
- Lack of awareness of available programs.
These barriers not only affect their access to essential care but often leads to stigma-induced isolation, exacerbating feelings of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness and making women and mothers more vulnerable to high-risk behavior. For many, these barriers to treatment produce the unending cycle mentioned above, with the stigma and shame worsening as the individual spirals downward and the need to escape via their preferred substances grows stronger.
Promoting a More Compassionate and Supportive Environment
When it comes to combating guilt and shame in recovery among women and mothers, we must break down societal stereotypes related to substance use disorders and create a more compassionate and supportive environment for women to heal. That means changing the narrative and creating inclusive treatment programs that are gender-specific and designed to treat the unique needs of this population.
For instance, pregnancy programs address the specific challenges expectant mothers face while still delivering specialized care and support for their substance use disorder during this critical time.
Contact Retreat Behavioral Health Today!
The interplay of gender, stigma, and substance use disorders can have a very real impact on women and mothers, particularly as it relates to their ability to seek out effective treatment. There is hope among professionals, however, that by lessening the stigma and providing treatment free of judgment, more women will get the help they need.
If you are a woman or expectant mother suffering from a substance use disorder, Retreat Behavioral Health is one of the few centers in the country, especially skilled in treating the underlying causes of guilt and shame and combating the stigma attached to these sensitive cases.
Reach out to our experienced and compassionate staff today!
