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The Impact of Stigma

The Impact of Stigma

The Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA) recently released survey results which show that 63% of Americans view alcoholism as a “moral weakness.” (http://cadca.org/CoalitionsOnline/article.asp?id=897, 9/29/05). 74% of Americans feel affected by someone’s alcoholism and about 40% have encouraged loved ones to seek help for alcoholism. The study also looked at the public’s receptiveness to pharmaceutical treatment for alcoholism, and about 89% of the group said they would support medication prescribed for alcoholism. Education seems to be the most valuable tool in this situation, and CADCA works to educate Americans on the disease of addiction. Check them out at www.cadca.org. As long as addiction and alcoholism are kept hidden by individuals and families due to shame, it will be difficult to ensure treatment for those that really need it.