My good friend from down-the-road, Michael Scott, texted me the other day to say how much he enjoyed watching one of the films edited from Wulf’s conversation with Tim Leighton. On 10 April, Michael will celebrate his 46th year in recovery from a drinking problem. You can read his Recovery Story, The Power of Empathy and Compassion, on this website.
Given Michael’s comment, I thought I would focus on this film for today’s blog post:
Reflecting on Stigma [4’59”]
Tim has given up on destigmatisation (he says not altogether seriously), although he hopes other people haven’t done so. If you try to destigmatise, for example by promoting new terminology, there is still a strong persistence of it, and often transference of the stigma to the new terms, as Robin Room has shown. You have to find an enclave where you can hide from it. However, when you are part of a recovery movement and proud of your recovery, it doesn’t mean that the whole of society is proud of you. Addiction is still a misunderstood and stigmatised condition.
When people get into AA and NA they learn a culture of unusual self-disclosure. They become very open and honest. However, it is still not acceptable to be a recovering alcoholic or to have problems with alcohol in much of society. For example, Charles Kennedy, leader of the Lib Dems, vanished from the political scene overnight when his problem with alcohol came to light. Many people today still think of someone who has had an addiction to have something wrong with them and not to be trusted.
Wulf points out that some of the Lived Experience Recovery Organisations (LEROs) are becoming more aware of this situation, and get on with their internal business without massive public disclosure. Many people are extremely judgemental, says Tim. If you are talking to politicians, ‘they are by definition disingenuous.’ They may sing the praise of someone who has overcome addiction, but they are not necessarily thinking that inside.
At the same time, Tim emphasises that you can’t stay silent. Otherwise, you don’t reach people. The main reason why the idea of recovery needs to be widely known about is that people can reach out and grab it.