Recover from Addiction: Becoming Aware of Cultural Influences

While culture has a broad definition, it can be boiled down to a shared set of beliefs, values, and experiences. Regardless of who you are or where you live, your habits, behaviors, and thoughts will be heavily influenced by culture—and substance use is no different.

If you are recovering from an addiction, it is vital to consider the cultural contexts of substance abuse. Below, we will be discussing the impact of societal norms on addiction, including cultural stigma on the topic and the role that family and community can play. ^[2]

The Impact of Societal Norms on Substance Use

Societal norms can be defined as the shared expectations and rules that guide people’s behavior. These expectations usually differ between communities, nationalities, etc. However, a few social norms are found in many different cultures, including substance use. ^[4]

Substance Use and Party Culture

People have always turned to substances (mainly alcohol) to celebrate. Even before the modern era, wine was consumed at celebratory events across various cultures, including traditional European and Greek gatherings.

As a result, many now see substances as necessary for a ‘good time.’ Alcohol is made available at just about every party or social gathering (such as sporting events, music festivals, and even end-of-year work functions), which has created a drinking culture. In fact, many people feel pressured into drinking or are singled out for being ‘boring’ if they refuse to do so.

With that being said, substance abuse has also become increasingly common among the younger generations. With certain substances playing an ever-increasing role in societal norms, it only makes sense that young adults (and even people who are not of the legal drinking age) feel pressured into following suit.

Substance Abuse as a Means to Cope

While substances are often used to celebrate and have a good time, they also serve as a coping mechanism for many. Unfortunately, depression and other mental health concerns have become increasingly common worldwide. Alcohol and drugs, therefore, are seen as a quick escape.

While some of the effects may feel pleasant initially, they can lead to negative consequences over time. ^[4]

Religious and Traditional Contexts

Certain substances also play an integral role in religious ceremonies, including wine in Christian communion. Alcohol can also be seen as a sign of hospitality and respect, making it a common gift.

Cultural Stigma Surrounding Addiction

Even though substances form such a major part of societal norms, there is still a negative cultural stigma surrounding addiction. Unfortunately, this prevents a lot of people from admitting they have a problem and seeking out help to combat their addiction – mainly due to shame, embarrassment, or both. ^[3]

Here are a few examples of how this negative cultural stigma can affect individuals suffering from an addiction:

• Negative perceptions and abuse: Since substance abuse is stigmatized, many people who have an addiction are treated differently by friends, family members, colleagues, or even strangers. Hateful terms, such as ‘drunkard,’ are sometimes used, which can lead someone to be excluded or treated differently by others.These negative perceptions cause people to feel rejected, embarrassed, and ashamed of their habits, often preventing them from seeking help. Making someone with a substance problem feel alone and rejected by society will do nothing to help their situation. Instead, they need support and guidance on their journey to sobriety.
• Barriers to treatment: As we have already mentioned, many people with an addiction fail to seek help due to fear of judgment. Nobody wants to admit that they have an addiction, as it ultimately means that they are admitting to having a lack of control over their lives and well-being.While there are plenty of addiction treatment facilities available, it is estimated that only 10% of all people who meet the criteria for a substance use disorder actually receive any help. In other words, the vast majority of people with an addiction do not receive the necessary support to overcome their dependency. ^[1]
• Discrimination: One of the main effects of the negative stigma surrounding substance abuse is the discrimination those suffering from addiction deal with. Not only are they made to feel less important or even like a burden on society, but they may also receive unfair treatment in the workplace.Many people who struggle with substance use disorders report that their employers treat them differently compared to other employees. In some cases, they will even be let go or turned away when applying for a job.

  More so, it is becoming increasingly difficult for those with substance abuse to find housing, as some landlords are often unwilling to rent out their properties to individuals who struggle with addiction.

• Healthcare disparities: This negative stigma can also massively affect the quality of healthcare that substance abuse patients receive. A lot of healthcare providers adhere to biases that influence treatment decisions.

The Role of Family and Community in Addiction Recovery

The habits of family and community heavily impact our behaviors. For example, if your family has a history of substance abuse, your chances of developing an addiction are much greater. With that being said, those closest to us also play an integral role in providing substance abuse patients the necessary support to overcome their addiction.

Here is how family and community members can contribute to addiction recovery:

• Emotional support: It is always recommended for those struggling with an addiction to surround themselves with a strong support system. This is usually made up of close family members who have the patient’s best interests at heart.
• Structure and stability: Overcoming an addiction is difficult. Most of the time, substance abuse patients who try and fail to stay sober do so due to a lack of structure and stability.Family members can play an integral role in providing a safe space, helping individuals stay focused on their sobriety goals without external influences.
• Treatment Involvement: As previously mentioned, substance abuse has many causes. Often, individuals who live with addiction also have underlying emotional struggles. For this reason, family therapy sessions and improved communication may help resolve both of these concerns.More so, having a close family member involved in the treatment process often helps the individual feel less alone and isolated on their recovery journey.
• Social support networks: Most communities offer a variety of support networks for individuals suffering from a substance use disorder. This includes Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), both of which allow people to share their experiences with others who understand what they are going through.
• Creating a positive environment: Communities that prioritize and promote healthy, substance-free lifestyles will help individuals avoid situations that trigger substance abuse. For example, university communities often promote an alcohol-dependent lifestyle, as it can be found just about anywhere. On the other hand, a community in an area synonymous with outdoor living, physical health, and exercise will expose the individual to fewer situations in which alcohol is available.
• Advocacy and awareness: Raising awareness for substance abuse is one of the most important steps in creating a more supportive environment for patients struggling with substance use disorders. As a result, many communities offer dedicated programs that aim to raise funds for treatment programs, as well as spread awareness of the various side effects associated with substance abuse. ^[5]

Culturally-Sensitive Treatment Approaches

Culturally sensitive treatment approaches for substance abuse take into account the unique cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and values of the individual seeking help, enhancing the program’s effectiveness.

The recovery process must be as realistic as possible. If a certain substance, such as alcohol, plays a central role in an individual’s culture and traditional practices, it is unrealistic to think they will be able to simply cut the substance out of their life for good. They will likely find themselves in situations where that substance is readily available and even promoted.

For this reason, cultural humility needs to be adopted. In other words, treatment providers should show respect, openness, and understanding of differing cultural experiences and identities. This can only be achieved through open dialogue about sociocultural factors. ^[6]

How to Incorporate Cultural Awareness in Your Recovery

Now that we know exactly how cultural aspects influence our views and habits related to substance abuse, it is important that we look at practical strategies that can be adopted to navigate these obstacles.

Addressing the Stigma Associated with Substance Abuse

The first step in creating a more culturally aware method of recovery is addressing any stigma towards substance abuse and use. This includes educating and raising awareness to challenge negative stereotypes related to addiction. More so, we must accept addiction as a treatable medical condition instead of a personality trait. ^[8]

Identifying any Major Cultural Influences

Everyone has a unique story and identity. While some may share cultures, certain aspects impact people differently. For example, one person may come from a highly traditional family that adheres to all cultural practices, whereas another may have more cultural freedom.

To tailor your recovery program to your needs, you must identify which cultural practices play a major role in your life.

Creating an Inclusive Environment

To ensure that you feel accepted and supported, it is crucial to find an inclusive treatment environment that can coexist with your cultural identity. Surrounding yourself with individuals from the same cultural background would be highly beneficial.

This way, you could help each other through tough situations and create an open dialogue regarding your daily struggles. That said, it is vital that your support group does not cause you to fall back into bad habits. ^[7]

Traditional Recovery Methods

Certain cultures rely on more holistic healing methods, such as mindfulness and meditation. These practices are rooted in Eastern philosophies. On the other hand, Native American cultures are more dependent on traditional healing practices. If you identify with either of these cultures, these methods might be the best place to start your recovery journey.