There is a huge societal cost of drug and alcohol addiction. Are there better ways to deal with it than harsh punishment and prison?
As a person in recovery from addiction, I have first-hand knowledge of the damage wrought by drugs and alcohol. The personal, interpersonal, and societal costs of addiction are astronomical, and we have all been affected by it somehow. Over the course of my journey, I have seen policies and perceptions around addiction begin to change. For 25 years, a more humanistic approach to addressing these problems, termed “harm reduction” or “harm minimization,” has gained greater acceptance. This shift has profoundly impacted many lives, including my own.
To talk about why harm reduction has been such a welcome change, it is necessary to talk about the status quo in the United States and how it came to be. Since President Nixon’s administration in the 1970s, the US approach to addressing addiction has largely been punitive. Coined “The War on Drugs,” legislation passed in 1970 would increase the pursuit and prosecution of drug suppliers and addicts. This legislation was pursued less zealously during President Carter’s administration and more zealously during Reagan's administration (1981 to 1989). Mandatory and longer prison terms resulted in a drastic upswing in incarceration rates in the US, which incarcerates more of its population per capita than any other country in the world (Council 2014):
Studies evaluating this policy's effectiveness have determined that reducing drug demand through funding treatment and outreach programs is much more effective than funding “War on Drugs” interventions such as law enforcement. One large government-funded study determined that funding treatment is 23 times more effective at reducing drug use than funding law enforcement (Rydell and Sohler Everingham 1994).
Nonetheless, complex political and socioeconomic reasons for maintaining the status quo exist and are beyond the scope of this discussion. What is pertinent here is that a widespread, systemic criminalization of drug use and addiction has had profound consequences regarding stigma. It is well-established that addiction is a medical condition, but 50 years of draconian drug policy have resulted in a great deal of stigma in relation to addiction. This stigma limits what services and opportunities are available for people who need help and creates a sense of societal rejection internalized by those struggling with addiction. We throw away our addicts (by incarcerating them), sending a clear message that we are the refuse of society.
Fortunately, the tides are beginning to turn. Attitudes are beginning to change. Caring people are choosing compassion over condemnation, which makes a difference.
Like many addicts, I have struggled with self-loathing in my relationship with my addiction. I believe that self-love is imperative to recovery. I would first have this insight after a powerful interaction with a caring healthcare provider during a very dark time. Is there a humanist approach to addiction?
This story was originally published on September 2, 2021.
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