Imagine for a moment that you have a treatable but incurable
disease; all of the people around you were judging you for the having the
symptoms of that disease and you became a social leper. Imagine that you
sought treatment and though you have learned how to manage your disease to the
best of your ability people continue to keep you at arm’s length because they
are not sure if the treatment was effective. Imagine that after treatment
for this incurable disease the health care system failed to provide you with
ongoing support and follow up care to ensure your successful recovery.
Imagine if you were an addict.
The first thing you need to know about addiction is that it is a
disease and not morale a weakness. The negative stigma
and shame associated with addiction is the primary reason that addicts do not
seek treatment and the lack of ongoing support is the reason treatment is often
ineffective the first time. For long-term success in recovery, the
recovering addict needs ongoing support and to experience the hope of a better
life. The easiest nonclinical way to assist a recovering addict is to
plant a seed of hope for recovery and not focus on their past shameful
addictive behaviors. Try asking two simple questions: 1) what do
you want out of life? 2) How can I help you?
-Shirley R. Johnson
Addiction Counselor
