Tokenism and Portrayal of Addiction Recovery Stories

TIME TO GO DEEPER –

May 25, 2023 – When told correctly, these stories uplift and illuminate the often-misunderstood realities of addiction, breaking through the barriers of stigma to spark better understanding and stronger support for the empathetic treatment of substance use disorders. But, when told incorrectly, the same stories have the power to further stigmatize, stereotype and disempower those affected.

Despite best efforts to share lived experience and the phenomenology of addiction, the delicate waters of representation and authenticity are often, and often unknowingly, ripe with tokenism. Tokenism is the practice of making only a symbolic effort to include individuals who represent a certain group to give the illusion of inclusivity. Rampant across many areas of society, it is particularly prevalent in historically underserved, vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. Addiction is no exception.

The Power of Lived Experience and Real Stories One of the most powerful forces driving social connection and inspiring change are the “real stories” of those with lived and living experience. Sharing real experience is a key mechanism that is effective in preventing, treating and recovering from a substance use challenge. Shared personal narratives promote social connection and shared accountability, validate the experiences of others going through similar experiences and promote feelings of understanding and solidarity. Peer support and lived experience have long played a crucial role in the treatment of addiction in America and are the backbone of 12-step and other self-help programs of recovery. Recent years have seen an enormous rise in the formalization of the role of peer support and lived experience within mainstream medicine with recovery coach and peer counselor roles.

Whether in a formal capacity or not, these narratives can be a source of inspiration, a motivator for change and a way to reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorders by offering an opportunity for others to walk in their shoes or peek through a small window into their world. Unfortunately, while sharing ones narrative has incredible power and proven positives, we also have seen a long history of abuses, where the sharing stories of addiction and recovery is translated into something that is potentially harmful to the individual and the cause.