The+Addicted+Troubles+of+Alice+in+Wonderland+&+Other+Tales

Tutor: Michelle Newcombe Student: Amber Rowe #N8833460

=The Addicted Troubles of Alice in Wonderland & Other Tales………. =  (Cat-o-morphism, 2013)

The cultural artefact chosen is a watercolour painting by the artist only known as ‘Cat-o-morphism’. It was found posted on the website ‘deviantart.com’ and it is an excellent picture of Alice from the Lewis Carroll book, “Alice in Wonderland”. The painting depicts Alice falling ever so slowly down the rabbit hole. She came to fall after ‘burning with curiosity’, and while chasing a white rabbit with a clock and a waist coat she fell, ‘Down, down, down. Would the fall ever end! ‘’I wonder how many miles I’ve fallen by this time?’ she said aloud, never once considering how in the world she was going to get out again…..’ (Carrol, 1993) Also comprised with and within this page are quotes from the novel associated to the cultural artefact. The quotes help to prompt the feeling and motion for this artefact.

PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE AT HAND; DRUG-RELATED STIGMA
The central issue surrounding this artefact is the drug related stigma that is placed upon those who struggle with addiction. Once a drug-related stigma is formed a product of ‘otherness’ is created, of which one can feel as if they are falling, slowly down into a hole that is ever so hard to return from. With the loss of one’s identity and the fear of being presented as a criminal addict, there is a tendency to hide themselves away from society in the underworld. Addiction is viewed as a public health issue, a mental illness, but treatment is punishment and viewed criminally. Drug related stigma prevents addicts from seeking out help and/ or treatment in fear of being penalised and ostracised. (AIVL, 2011)

= IF YOU DONT KNOW WHICH WAY TO GO, ANY PATH WILL DO.......LITERATURE REVIEW! =

=
There are many public health issues that arise when researching the nature of addiction. One issue that is evident throughout research is the stigmatisation of problematic drug users. It is important that drug related stigmatisation be addressed to insure people with addiction problems can and are able to seek out the help they need for their chronic illness, like a diabetic or a cancer patient would. A look at the history around drug use and its associated programs can help in developing a better understanding. Strategies have been explored to find out what works and the limitations involved when dealing with drug-related stigma, in-turn educating people on this topic in order to reduce drug related stigma in the future.
 * Stigma Defined: Stigma is the experience of being “deeply discredited” due to one’s “undesired differentness.” To be stigmatized is to be held in contempt, shunned, or rendered socially invisible because of a socially disapproved status.(Radcliffe, 2008) **=====

History has shown that our society and its citizens have developed an insatiable drug related-stigma which controls the health effects and outcomes of its populations and users. Historical use of drugs has been and continues to be a part of ordinary human behaviour (N.Parrillo, 2008). Drug use was evident in research from archaeological sources that date back well over 4000 years ago. Many different types of drug substances have spread throughout the world and many cultures, through exportation as exotic substances. Drugs were often used for ceremonial or medicinal purposes, usage changed over time and substances have become refined for cost and production purposes (N.Parrillo, 2008). Society changed and cities were built, groups were formed. This growth brought about the conceptualisation of “otherness”, which associated certain ideals and perceptions about how people in society should act, or be viewed upon. Drug related stigma creates an otherness within the spectrum of problematic drug users (Sanders, 2012). It involves the progression of labelling, stereotyping, social rejection, exclusion, all of which are key to discrimination.

There are three types of personal stigma that will affect drug users; Enacted stigma - experience of social ostracism, Perceived stigma – attitudes of others toward oneself and Self-stigma – feelings of shame and self-loathing. Negative effects of drug-related stigma can lead to the individual struggling with housing, education, personal safety, employment and social activity. All consequently have direct influence on the community (Carr, 2002). Within the last decade much research has been done to evaluate the effects of drug related stigma and their accompanying behavioural health disorders. Modern research experts relay that addiction is a bio-psychosocial disorder that, with the right angle taken, is preventable and treatable (Luomaa., 2007). Over time many have tried to understand this phenomenon of addiction and it is of these opinions through media that shaped and promoted drug-related stigma. An addict will develop personal approaches in order to deal with sensitivities of their addiction illness within society. Keys aspects include social withdrawal, secrecy/concealment, self-concealment and an over-compensation in other areas. All this does is create an unhealthy area for mental illness to deeper develop (Lovi, 2009).

There are three broad social strategies: Protest/advocacy, education and increased interpersonal contact between stigmatised and non-stigmatised groups (Thorburn, 2005). Social strategies have shown to be useful in reducing and addressing the stigma related to the use of drugs and its associated mental illness (Lloyd, 2013). Harm minimisation programs are a great start to addressing this public health issue and for providing care for addicts within the community (AIVL, 2011). But unless the stigma and otherness, that is perceived around this topic is addressed, such programs may never receive full use from addicts or show the results they are capable of in reducing illicit drug use and addiction throughout the world (Link B. G., 2006). The general consensus throughout literature is that research around drug-related stigma is treated as estimates. ‘The stigma is so powerful that drug users shrink from ‘outing ‘themselves to researchers, doctor and government officials.’ (AIVL, 2011). As a society we need to think of the ‘whole’ person and not the labels we place upon them, in order to treat addiction as a chronic curable disease and not as a moral weakness that’s come about by bad character (Thorburn, 2005). Limitations to these strategies arise through ideals linked with how the media portray drug use in such a way that helps to sustain stigma in society (Jones, 2010). Stigma provides excuses for people to distance themselves, express disapproval, feel superior and safe (that can’t happen to me), promote one’s own personal and social agenda, goals and objectives, and enable people to control another by stereotyping, to hurt others and brand them as unworthy. Above all, stigmas allow people to express their fears about beliefs and behaviours of others in seemingly socially acceptable ways (AIVL, 2011). The best way to address the suppression of treatment due to stigma is that of the “moral panic” linked to crack cocaine in the 1980’s and heroin in the 1990’s, where in the media lashed out and painted a social stigma of “badness” (Radcliffe, 2008). Media plays a major role when forming stigmatisations and creating ‘otherness’ around certain groups throughout our society, creating negative effects for public health interventions (Link B. G., 2006).

In conclusion it is generally agreed upon that drug-related stigma perpetuates the public health issue and prevents problematic drug users from receiving appropriate treatment. An area that could be further researched and analysed is that if stigma levels where lower around drug use and more accepted in society, are we then permitting more people to experiment with drug use. Therefore, is drug-related stigma stopping a large number of people from the experimenting and initiation of initial drug using? With great evidence to prove that with the right information dissemination, prevention education, community-based and media –based approaches it is possible to reduce drug-related stigma and get people the help when they need it the most (AIVL, 2011). As mind altering drugs have been around since we can remember it’s in our nature to numb the pain, to escape for a while, everybody has their moments. But let’s rest assure that if someone is in need it is our duty in society to treat people as whole and with dignity and love.

__CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS__ To develop greater understanding of drug-related stigma and otherness involving drug use, we need a theory model. The social theory model is used for understanding, a framework of thinking within and about society, human behaviour and their associated patterns.

Structural functionalism was credited largely to August Comte, Emile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons. It adopts a macro-level broad focus on the social structures that shape society as a whole. Important in that consensus about morality, values and conformity to norms are necessities for smooth functioning of society (Anderson, 1998). Around 1930 sociologist Robert Merton was to directly tie Durkheim’s ideas of anomie to the study of crime and deviance, including drug and alcohol abuse. Anomie or strain theory is a fundamentalist consequence of advanced capitalism. Rapid growth within cities reduces the amount of interaction between individuals and various groups – creating normlessness (Anderson, 1998). These theories then lead onto analyse the social control of society. In 1980 sociologist Travis Hirschi built on the Strain theory in suggesting when in the absence of bonds to conventional society, the absence of social controls that encourage conformity (Anderson, 1998). Most of us will not engage in deviant behaviours as we have strong conventional ties with society; maintain stream persons, beliefs, activities and social institutions. When these bonds are not there or broken the individual is free from rules, free to deviate – free to do drugs. So the point being made here is that the more bonds you have to conventional others (family, friends, school, work, religion) the less likely we are to break away from societies rules and do drugs.

In Australian society today the Indigenous communities have had their cultural mainstream, beliefs and conventional others bonds are broken down. Well, they were actually ripped apart then jumped on a few times!! The Europeans set out to take this land for themselves; indigenous people were separated from the country, families, language and were forced to live in poor conditions in missions and settlements (Australian Government, 2013). They were only allowed to work in the most basic roles and had their wages kept from them. Indigenous people were largely excluded from colonial life and struggled to keep their own values and beliefs alive (Australian Government, 2013). Through generations this secondary trauma has been passed down and devastated many generations and many more to come. During this breakdown of conventional bonds, our indigenous Australians were negatively labelled in society forming a sub-cultural group. It is evident that aboriginals are twice as likely to engage in illicit drug use and break the rules of society as they have always felt and been on the outside. It is this otherness and lack of conventional ties with society that drive various Indigenous Australians to deviant behaviours (Carr, 2002).

Social theory of structural functionalism outlines the increased risks of drug related behaviours within certain sub-culture groups. The degree of stigma and otherness needs to be addressed in today’s growing society to reduce harm related drug problems within Australia.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND... MAY HER TROUBLES AND FEARS BE NOT TAINTED BY HER PEERS

This cultural artefact represents the dangers of drug-related stigma by encompassing curiosity, otherness and the constant struggle of the associated stigma. The long fall down the hole into ‘Wonderland’ presents a description to the extent of the unknown. This venture is full of books flying pass and clocks swirling around, the curiosity to engage in the unknown and escape into a ‘Wonderland’, free from the constrictions of time. Initially this is how one enters a drug subculture, falling deep into a perception of ‘otherness’, it is this stigmatisation that can hold a person there in the ‘Wonderland’ and unable to or scared to return.

With the ever increasing negative impact of drug-related stigma, people who struggle with addiction illness will find it terribly hard to get out of this hole. It is a constant battle trying to find themselves again, and to finally be able to see that the real world has options and pathways for treatment without the negative labels.

Personally for myself I have struggled with finding the relationship between mental illness and addiction. Coming from a family of addiction I have always thought they were the ‘crazy ones’, they’re not strong enough. My mother has been addicted to valium, temazepam, diazepam, codeine, alcohol, along with other substances for as long as I can remember. In and out of hospitals I watched as the stigmatisation grew, from doctor to doctor, miss diagnosed for over twenty years, bi-polar, personality disorder, this and that, what it all comes down to is ‘YES’ she is an addict! Who is stuck in ‘Wonderland’! And ‘YES’ it is a bio-socio-psycho illness, that can be managed but we need more research on the right methods and more people to be educated.

This assessment has changed my thought processes towards the production of stigma within any sub group. It is so sad how easily stigma can be used and abused through the media and politically. I am now so more aware of this and will be able to reflect on this new found knowledge when researching other topics in order to relate an association with the type of stigma that perpetuates many of our problems in society.

Comment one: []

Comment two: []

=__// REFERENCES //__=

Ahern, J. S. (2002, May 11). Stigma, discrimination and the health of illicit drug users. //Drug and Alcohol Dependance, 88//(2-3), 188-196. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.10.014

AIVL, A. I. (2011). //'Why wouldn't i discriminate against all of them?', A report on stigma and discrimination toward the injecting drug user community.// Canberra, Australia.: AIVL. Retrieved from www.aivl.org.au

Anderson, T. L. (1998). A Cultural-Identity Theory of Drug Abuse. //Sociology of Crime, Law, and Deviance, 1//, 233-262.

Australian Government, D. o. (2013). //Review of Illicit Drug Use Among Indigenous People//. Retrieved from Australian Indigenous Health Info Net: http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au

//Australian National Council of Drugs//. (2013). Retrieved September 2013, from http://www.ancd.org.au

Carr, V. H. (2002). //Stigma and Discrimination: A Bulletin of the Low Prevalence Disorders Study.// Australian Government, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealth.gov.au

Carrol, L. (1993). Alice in Wonderland. In L. Carrol, //The Complete Illustrated Works of Lewis Carroll// (pp. 17-114). London: Chancellor Press.

Cat-o-morphism. (2013, October). //Alice in Wonderland//. Retrieved from Deviant Art: http://cat-o-morphism.deviantart.com/art/Alice-in-Wonderland-211434656

Corrigan, P. W. (2009, April 09). The public Stigma of Mental Illness and Drug Addiction: Findings from a Stratified Ramdom Sample. //Journal Of Social Work, 9//(2), 139-147. doi:10.1177/1468017308101818

Jones, R. S. (2010). //Experiences of stigma - everyday barriers for drug users and their families.// London: UKDPC. Retrieved from http://www.ukdpc.org.uk/publications.shtml#stigma_reports

Link, B. G. (2004). Measuring Mental Illness Stigma. //Schizophrenia Bulletin, 30//(3), 511-541. Retrieved October 2013, from http://schizophreniabulletin.oxfordjournals.org/

Link, B. G. (2006). Stigma and its Public Health Implications. //The Lancet, 365//(9509), 528-9. Retrieved October 2013, from http://search.proquest.com/docview/199024348?accountid=13380

Lloyd, C. (2013, April). The stigmatization of problem drug users: A narrative review. //Drugs: education, prevention and policy, 20//(2), 85-95. doi:10.3109/09687637.2012.743506

Lovi, R. B. (2009, October). Stigma Reported by Nurses related to Those Experiencing Drug and Alcohol Dependancy: A Phenomenological Giorgi Study. //Contempory Nurse: A Journal for the Australian Nurse Profession, 33//(2), 166-178. Retrieved October 2013, from : 

Luomaa., J. B. (2007, July). An investigation of stigma in individuals receiving treatment for substance abuse. //Addictive Behaviours, 33//(7), 1331-1346. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/10.1016/j.addbeh.2006.09.008

N.Parrillo, V. (2008). Encyclopedia of Social Problems - Drug Abuse. //SAGE Knowledge//, 255-259. doi:10.4135/9781412963930

Radcliffe, P. S. (2008, October). Are drug treatment services only for 'thieving junkie scumbags'. Drug users and the management of stigmatised identities. (U. o. Kent, Ed.) //Social Science Medicine, 67//(7), 1065-1075. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.06.004

Report, T. N. (2008, March 27). //Substance use and Dependance Following initation of Alcohol or illicit Drug Use//. Retrieved from Substance Abuse and Mental health Service Administration: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov

Robinson, T. E., & Berridge, K. C. (2003). Addiction. //Annual review of Psychology, 54//, 25-51. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.54.101601.145237

Sanders, J. M. (2012). Use of Mutual Support to Counteraxt the Effects of Socially Constructed Stigma: Gender and Drug Addiction. //Journal of Groups in Addiction and Recovery, 7//(2-4), 237-252. doi:10.1080/1556035X.2012.705705

Thorburn, D. (2005). Alcholism Myths and Realities: Removing the Stigma of Society's Most Destructive Disease.