More media, movies, and shows are released focusing on the main character’s substance addiction. While we may love these shows, they’re not truthful about substance abuse’s actual reality. Unfortunately, it has created an image of romantic depression as the characters are portrayed in an almost admirable light. That sets the tone that addiction is not a problem and is even something to achieve in your life. Media can cause a dangerous misconception not addressed enough by the media. This article aims to dispel the media-portrayed tropes of those struggling with addiction to reveal its actual damages. Addiction is a disease, helped through treatment. It is not something to be achieved.
Media Portrayed Addictions
According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, mass media exposure has a significant positive impact on subjective cultural norms. Most TV shows and movies have one goal of entertainment. Their job is to keep people watching, despite the truth of what is portrayed being incorrect. This is especially true for any show or movie that involves addiction. Addiction is used as a character flaw instead of revealing the scientific effects on the heart or brain. This can lead viewers to false assumptions about how drugs or alcohol influence behaviors or beliefs. They can come to admire the main character, making them believe their addiction is their true identity.
Our admiration does not arise from their drug or alcohol use but from our belief that their habits make them stronger or more interesting people. This is because they are portrayed as conquering their addiction in some areas or finding themselves in unique situations. However, all of these scenes are manufactured so that the main character will never be in trouble. The truth of addiction is that continued use has destructive effects on health and family. While shows may reveal these emotional scenes, it doesn’t adequately display the pain in these situations. It continues to feed into several tropes and stereotypes of addicts.
Stereotypical Addiction
One stereotype that lends itself to addiction to media is that addiction is a character flaw. While addiction is a disease, it’s not ingrained in the person from an emotional weakness. This has caused many people to look down on individuals who struggle with addiction, labeling them helpless. Another belief about addiction is that it’s episodic, as characters in shows and movies can solve their addiction in short periods. However, addiction is a process that takes continual maintenance for years. It’s a complex situation that needs constant tending by users.
Some movies show the main characters living luxurious lifestyles and taking substances without any effects. Other shows display the danger of addiction but accompany it with characters that have flourishing aspects in other parts of their lives, from money to popularity. There’s also an element of romanticism placed on some shows, focusing on the beauty in pain. While this may seem nice in a film or play, it can alter your worldview in horrible ways when experienced. It’s not something to fall in love with in order to become a part of a cooler crowd; it’s a disease that will rob you of your happiness.
Becoming Informed
According to Current Addiction Reports, adolescents and young adults are highly exposed to substance use portrayals associated with subsequent substance use. While we may think we have a balanced view of whatever movie or show we watch, the truth is that we are affected by the media we ingest. For parents, be wary of what your children watch with you. Media that portrays addiction can leave adolescents with the false assumption that addiction is a positive. This can easily carry into their personal lives once they reach high school. Censoring media until they are old enough to understand can save them from future use.
For young adults, balance your view of whatever media you watch with research on the substance itself. Knowing the scientific effects and damage that come with substance abuse can give us a realistic understanding of the content in front of us. For those having gone through addiction treatment, be extremely wary of media addiction. This can trigger the need to use it again because it makes us forget about the pain associated with addiction. Watching what you consume can avoid an episode of relapsing.
The Truth of Addiction
Media is a powerful tool. It can inform, educate, or persuade its audiences. In the case of addiction, movies and TV make substance abuse seem like a hazy dream. However, it’s only a nightmare. Addiction’s destruction reverberates in the individual’s life and family’s reality. Becoming informed about the physical and emotional science side of Hollywood’s portrayals will save you from misinterpretations and dangers. If you are struggling with addiction, please consider seeking treatment and contact First Steps Recovery for more information.
Addiction is a disease. We often try to downplay its effects or make it seem like it’s not an issue, but addiction can tear lives and families apart. The choice to get treatment is something you won’t regret. At First Steps Recovery, we guide our patients from detox through outpatient care in order to reach a stage of true sobriety. Not only do we help with early treatment, but we also set you up with the tools to maintain long-term sobriety. If you or a loved one is struggling with destructive habits, consider making the first step towards addiction treatment. We want to see you free from the damage of substance abuse. Please contact First Steps Recovery at (844) 489-0836.
Addiction is a disease. We often try to downplay its effects or make it seem like it’s not an issue, but addiction can tear lives and families apart. The choice to get treatment is something you won’t regret. At First Steps Recovery, we guide our patients from detox through outpatient care in order to reach a stage of true sobriety. Not only do we help with early treatment, but we also set you up with the tools to maintain long-term sobriety. If you or a loved one is struggling with destructive habits, consider making the first step towards addiction treatment. We want to see you free from the damage of substance abuse. Please contact First Steps Recovery at (844) 489-0836.
