"Why Do People Become Addicted?" And the Equally Important Yet Often Overlooked Question: "Why Does Society View Addicted Individuals Solely Through the Lens of Their Addiction?"  

Drug addiction is not merely a health issue but also a target of powerful societal judgment. The stigmatized individual struggles both with their addiction and society's destructive gaze... In this article, we will shed light on the social dimensions of addiction through the framework of Erving Goffman's stigma theory.  

Sociologist Erving Goffman introduced the concept of "stigma" to explain how society considers some individuals "normal" while perceiving others as "flawed" or "deviant." According to Goffman, when an individual fails to conform to societal norms, their entire identity can become overshadowed by a single label. The "addict" label is one such powerful stigma it defines individuals solely by their past and casts a shadow over their future. Those who deviate from society's expectations of normality are, in Goffman's terms, stigmatized individuals. Addicts fall under what he describes as "character stigmas."  

A significant portion of society defines addicted individuals only by their actions or a period of their life. These individuals are seen not as "people in need of treatment" but as "culprits responsible for their own downfall." Yet, this very perspective is one of the greatest obstacles to recovery.  

The stigmatized individual is punished by society. They cannot find employment, fear healthcare services, isolate themselves from society, and internalize negative labels. This situation disrupts not only the individual's life but also the healthy functioning of society as a whole. Because every excluded individual means a broken link in society's chain of solidarity.  

Among those seeking recovery, it is quite common to encounter trust issues both toward themselves and their surroundings. The deeply ingrained societal pressure of "what will people say?" undermines the individual's will to start anew. The language used often appears supportive on the surface but actually reproduces stigmatization.  

Phrases like, "What can you possibly change after falling this low?" significantly diminish the individual's morale and motivation. Even if the stigmatized individual is ready to reintegrate into society, society itself must be prepared for this return. Society must learn to understand rather than exclude, to support rather than judge. Every individual may need a second chance. And recognizing the effort made to deserve that chance is our collective responsibility.  

It must not be forgotten: The struggle against addiction is not just the individual's test it is society's trial as well. No one plans to become "addicted" one day. But anyone may one day need support. That is why we should recognize people not by their mistakes but by their courage to change.  

Written by: Our Promotion Coordinator Sociologist Selin TEKE