Whether it’s images of someone drunkenly stumbling around or someone popping pills and needing a fix, addiction is often portrayed in the media in a negative light in order to evoke feelings of fear and judgment. While the media’s representation of addiction might serve to inform society of the consequences of this disease, it also has the effect of perpetuating stigma and misunderstanding, ultimately causing harm to those struggling with substance abuse disorder (SUD).
Firstly, it should be noted that addiction is an incredibly complex and multifaceted disorder that does not discriminate. It can affect anyone, regardless of demographic or socioeconomic status. However, the media often fails to reflect this complexity, instead opting to use oversimplified and distorted images of addiction, particularly of opioids.
For example, when the opioid epidemic is talked about in the news or on shows like Intervention, it is typically done in a sensationalist manner. Constant references to addicts as “drug-seekers” and “junkies,” as well as the popularized image of a homeless person injecting heroin in an alleyway reveal a pervasive and damaging misunderstanding of addiction and its root causes. This narrative serves to demonize those who struggle with addiction rather than humanize them and thus decreases public empathy toward those most in need of help.
Similarly, the media too often portrays the journey to recovery as a straightforward path of extreme interventions, taking shape in the form of drastic measures such as forcible detox, “tough love,” and arrests. However, the reality is that addiction recovery is a complex and individualistic process that will often involve long-term treatment programs such as counseling and medication, as well as peer-support groups and lifestyle management.
To make matters worse, the media’s narrow representation of substance abusers fails to show how the socioeconomic context plays a central role in addiction. Those affected by addiction are often poorer communities who are only doing what they can to cope with the circumstances they find themselves in. Further, these communities are often marginalized and lack access to health and employment services which could help prevent them from falling into the cycle of chronic substance abuse. The media’s neglect of this important component of addiction only serves to fuel the cycle of stigma and misunderstanding.
The social implications of the media’s heavy-handed and myopic representation of addiction should not be underestimated. The images that we see on television, movies, and even in advertising act as powerful cues that can either serve to educate or misinform our understanding of a certain topic. In the case of addiction, the same images have been recycled over and over again to the point where they act as a gravitational point of reference. In this way, they become the starting point from which our understanding of addiction is formed, and this missing nuance can have devastating consequences for those suffering with the disorder.
To effectively and accurately portray addiction, the media must move away from a single-minded and judgmental narrative and instead focus on providing a more complete and respectful representation of those suffering from substance abuse disorder. This will require media outlets to investigate and explore the real stories of those struggling with addiction, showing the complexity and diversity of their stories and experiences. A more compassionate and well-rounded portrayal of the disease would serve to challenge existing stereotypes and lessen the stigma associated with it.
By expanding the conversation around addiction beyond the sensationalized images that are often depicted in the media, society can start to create an environment of understanding, support, and empathy. This in turn, can offer a safe space for those affected by the disorder to come forward and seek help without the fear of stigma. Such an approach is an essential step to reducing the burden attendant to addiction and developing preventative solutions.