According to the CDC, synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, are the primary cause of overdose deaths in the United States.[1] With the growing use and dangers of fentanyl, it should be no surprise that it has become part of the storyline in many movies and TV shows. Stories of fentanyl and addiction have also made headlines in many major news outlets. But how accurate are these depictions, and is the media portrayal of those with a fentanyl use problem accurate? As we examine the answer to this question, many people may be wondering how substance abuse programs for youth near me are working to deal with this issue. The team at Ember Recovery is here to help teens and young adults overcome any substance use disorder, including those involving the use of fentanyl.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent.[2] While it is prescribed to treat patients with severe pain, it is also used and made illegally.
Illicit fentanyl is made in labs and sold on the illegal drug market.[1] When it is mixed with other illicit drugs, its potency and dangers increase. These types of counterfeit pills often contain lethal doses of fentanyl, which has contributed to the country’s increasing overdoses and opioid epidemic.
How Addiction is Portrayed in Pop Culture and the Media
Addiction in TV and Movies
When TV and movie characters are dealing with fentanyl use and addiction, their substance use can be depicted as a character flaw. This can lead viewers to form biased opinions when it comes to those battling a substance use problem. Very rarely do these shows and movies look at the science behind addiction and how the brain is impacted.
Besides depicting drug use as a character flaw, characters in TV and film can also glamorize substance use. They can make it appear exciting and carefree, which can make drug use appealing to young people.
The show “Breaking Bad” shows an example of this. While the show is upfront about the dangerous effects of drug use, it does portray an everyday man rising from his normal life to become a rich and powerful drug lord. This type of portrayal can make the drug world fascinating and enigmatic to young people.
Another important point to bring up regarding pop culture’s portrayal of drug addiction is that it is often wrapped up in the context of the movie or episode. Rarely do you see how those trying to overcome sobriety fight the everyday battles against addiction. This can paint the picture that drug abuse can be easily overcome without depicting the struggles and hard work it involves.
Shifting Pop Culture’s Portrayal of Addiction
Addiction is considered a disease that people have to treat. If addiction is viewed as a disease in everyday life instead of a character flaw, there can be a shift in the way addiction is portrayed in movies and television. Characters and their drug use can appear more authentic and show the dangers of drug use and how it can lead to deadly consequences. They can show how drugs can make people sick and impact their lives. Changing the tide of how drug use is portrayed can help to deter young people from wanting to go down that path.
Substance Abuse Programs for Youth Near Me on Addiction in the Media
Besides the dangers that pop culture depictions of drug use and addiction can bring, it is also essential to look at how the media depicts addiction. Perhaps the most harmful comes in the way those who use substances are referred to. “Addict” or “junkie” only contributes to the stereotype that surrounds those using substances. Terms like these are harmful and can prevent people from getting help because they don’t want these labels to represent them.
A better reference can be “person with a substance use disorder.” This avoids labeling a person and instead shows that they are someone dealing with a problem.
Fentanyl Use and Addiction in the Media
When the media talks about fentanyl use, they tend to focus on reports of illegal use.[3] While illegal fentanyl use is undoubtedly a significant problem, people can also become addicted to the drug when it is prescribed to them. People who use the drug to deal with pain can become addicted to the way the drug feels. They would lead to the overuse and abuse of prescribed medication. When their intended dose no longer delivers the same effect, they begin to use more, which can lead to addiction and even death.
Very rarely are these stories of fentanyl abuse told. We tend only to see fentanyl use linked to street crime and illegal use. This narrative can contribute to the stigma of fentanyl and drug use, resulting in people not seeking the help they need. By telling all stories of fentanyl misuse, the public can have a better idea of how this can impact people from all walks of life. It can also encourage more people to get the help they need before it’s too late.
Substance Abuse Programs For Youth Near Me: How Treatment Programs Can Help
Ember Recovery provides treatment programs to help teens and young adults who have developed a substance use disorder involving fentanyl and other drugs. Since our program focuses specifically on young people, we can zero in on their issues and the best treatments for them. We also provide aftercare planning to help our patients succeed in remaining sober when they leave Ember Recovery.
Contact us today to learn more about how our treatment programs can help young people battle their substance use disorders.
Sources:
[1] https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl [2] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl [3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953619306379
Andrea Dickerson is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Substance Use Counselor who has worked in behavioral health since 1997. Currently, Andrea is the Director of Behavioral Health, overseeing the Ember residential treatment programs and YSS outpatient counseling clinics throughout Central and North Central Iowa. She became a Motivational Interviewing (MI) trainer in 2006 and provides MI trainings throughout Iowa.
Andrea specializes in working with adolescents and their families and enjoys seeing the family relationships grow through therapy. Andrea is also a CARF International Surveyor, going around North America ensuring behavioral health organizations are meeting required standards.
In her free time, Andrea enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs, as well as being an active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), a global organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. She has been a member of the SI of Des Moines club since 2012 and has been actively involved at the regional level, currently serving as Co-Governor of the Peaks to Plains Region.
Through her involvement in SIA, Andrea has been actively involved in the Dream Programs, coordinating annual Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls projects, which give girls the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse.