Breaking the Stigma: Understanding Addiction and Recovery
Together, we can create a community that supports healing and hope by eliminating the stigma surrounding addiction.
What is Stigma and Why Does It Matter?
Addiction is one of the most stigmatized health conditions, preventing individuals from seeking help and isolating families who fear judgment. Over 20 million people in the U.S. struggle with substance use disorders, yet nearly half of Americans don’t recognize addiction as a disease.
Key Points:
- Recent research shows that over 80% of Americans are unwilling to associate with those suffering from a substance use disorder.
- Stigma leads to discrimination in healthcare, employment, housing, and more.
- Misconceptions about addiction being a moral failing reinforce these barriers.
- Stigma creates barriers to accessing evidence-informed treatment and harm reduction services.
- FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder (e.g., methadone, buprenorphine, and extended-release naltrexone) can reduce overdose death risk by half but are underused due to stigma and misinformation.
Stigma doesn’t just affect individuals with addiction; it isolates families and perpetuates harmful stereotypes in society. People struggling with substance use disorders often face:
- Judgment from peers, which discourages open conversations about their challenges.
- Discrimination in workplaces and healthcare settings, limiting opportunities for recovery and success.
Additionally, stigma is pervasive even in professions tasked with helping those in need, including healthcare and criminal justice systems. This reinforces cycles of shame, mistrust, and avoidance of essential services.
Understanding the root causes of stigma—such as fear, misinformation, and societal bias—is critical in dismantling it. By fostering empathy, education, and inclusivity, we can transform the way addiction is perceived and treated.
The Numbers Behind the Crisis
- Nearly 21 million Americans have at least one addiction, yet only 10% receive treatment.
- More than 70% of people who try an illegal drug before age 13 develop an addiction.
- About 50,000 people die annually from opioid overdoses.
- Approximately 3.8% of Americans have an opioid use disorder.
- Opioids are involved in 7 out of every 10 overdose deaths.
- Synthetic opioids account for about 68% of all overdose deaths.
- Fentanyl contributes to nearly 19.8% of these deaths.
- Research shows that 50% of individuals with a diagnosed mental illness will also struggle with substance abuse at some point in their lives, and vice versa.
How You Can Help End the Stigma
- Use non-stigmatizing, person-first language (e.g., “person with a substance use disorder” instead of “addict”).
- Avoid terms that have negative connotations and reinforce stigma.
Key Tips:
- Understand that addiction is a treatable condition.
- Educate others about science-based approaches to recovery.
- Encourage empathy and support instead of judgment.
Resources for Recovery and Support
Office of Mental Health & Addiction Services
The Camden County Office of Mental Health and Addiction ensures access to essential treatment programs, especially for underserved populations. Services include withdrawal management, inpatient/outpatient care, recovery supports, sober living options, and addiction education. Mental health assistance covers emergency shelter, wrap-around funds, and socialization programs.
The office also coordinates advisory committees, crisis response teams, and countywide planning for substance abuse and mental health services. For eligibility and referrals, contact (856) 374-6361.
For a list of community mental health resources, click here.
For a list of substance use resources, click here.
Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force
The Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force was established to combat the opioid epidemic and raise awareness about substance use disorders. The task force involves community partners, including medical professionals, law enforcement, and local leaders, working together to educate the public, reduce substance misuse, and improve resources for those affected by addiction. The task force also supports the development of programs to prevent addiction, offering educational campaigns and promoting treatment options. For more information, visit the Addiction Awareness Task Force page.
Camden County Remembrance and Hope Memorial
The Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force created the Remembrance and Hope Memorial at Timber Creek Park to honor the lives lost to overdose and addiction. With over 2,000 lives lost since 2010, the memorial offers a space for families and loved ones to grieve and find solace.
For information on memorial pavers, click here.
School Based Initiatives
The Narcotics Overdose Prevention & Education (NOPE) program is a highly successful evidence-based program designed to combat the misuse of substances and illicit drugs through interactive contemporary presentations, educating middle school and high school students faced with the
real-life consequences of alcohol and drug use. NOPE is available to Camden County
schools, programs, and/ or events. To learn more about the NOPE program
or schedule a presentation, please contact:
The Work Group at (856) 486-7390
Fentanyl is Fatal
Camden County’s Anti-Fentanyl Campaign provides crucial information about the dangers of fentanyl, an opioid much stronger than morphine. The campaign stresses how fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs like heroin and cocaine without users’ knowledge, leading to unintentional overdoses. As part of the county’s response, the campaign raises awareness through various initiatives such as distributing educational resources, offering free Narcan training, and providing fentanyl test strips to at-risk individuals.
Additionally, Camden County has installed naloxone boxes in public spaces and schools, and has launched a mobile treatment program that brings recovery services directly to those in need. This coordinated effort aims to reduce overdose deaths and break the stigma surrounding addiction by encouraging open discussions and offering tangible support to those affected.
For further details, you can visit the official Camden County Fentanyl Awareness page here