Is it worth concealing women’s addiction from the outside world?

Staying undetected would be the single most cumbersome task for the female drug addicts especially, during the early stages of addiction to avoid exposure to stigma and discrimination in the society. At the same time, their addiction tends to progress at an exponential rate by the day causing them to strive even harder to conceal it. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt said, “A woman is like a tea bag. You can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” But, the latest statistics of increasing women falling prey to substance abuse are only proving on the contrary. 

While we understand that most women live in family set ups, an abnormal amount of them succumbing to addiction should act as an eye opener for all the right-thinking people. In these times, the lure of the social status and recognition for the families is too great to be overlooked by ordinary mortals, so all understandings of human behaviour and moral considerations are thrown out the window to maintain the same. This calls for a re-think about the threat lurking around us in the name of social stigma that’s consuming the quality of lives of one one too many female addicts who are denied basic right of treatment at a rehab.

Reasons why people hide women’s addiction

1. Addiction in women is considered shameful.
2. Addiction carries social stigma.
3. Public considers it as a weakness or personal flaw.
4. There might be legal charges for using illegal drugs.
5. The prestige of the family would be lost in the society.
6. Children may have to bear the brunt by getting socially isolated.

All the reasons rectified and agreed about, now the question that arises is “Is it worth concealing women’s addiction from the outside world?”

For a split second, let’s just assume that we hold our prestige and the dignity of the family on the fore and never allow to let ourselves be dishonoured. But, are we okay with the negative consequences that the addiction casts upon the family? The unattended children, malnourished children, crippling finances, daily disputes, an unhealthy house lady who had fallen prey to substance abuse on account of the physical and emotional trauma that she is undergoing? Who has been constantly longing for love, attention and sympathy apart from the much-needed treatment? Unavailability of homemade food, unhygienic atmospheres and an unorganised home set up that’s transforming into a rat hole by the day? If you still choose not to disclose/ help her with treatment to fake or boost/boast of your family and lifestyle and culture, of all the things, let’s now discuss the advantages and disadvantages of concealing the facts.

Advantages

1. Keeping up the family name in the society.
2. Greater opportunities of marriage alliances.
3. Greater respect in the family circles.
4. Greater trust of performance among the business circles.
5. Avoiding stigma in social circles.

Disadvantages

1. Depriving children of the most required nutritional, medical and educational care.
2. Going through the stress of concealing the addiction on a daily basis.
3. Doubled workload as a single parent
4. Crippled finances
5. Loss of spouse to the addiction.
6. Enabling a dysfunctional family set up.

A mere note of comparison brings about chills in the spine. It is the absence of a worthwhile analysis and compassion in families and the society that is responsible to a great extent for the growing malaise. We hardly probe into the aspect of addiction among females. Once we do, we quit giving importance to lofty ideals and preserve our own people and life for our own good. Agreed?

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