Pubdate: Tue, 10 May 2016
Source: Buffalo News (NY)
Copyright: 2016 The Buffalo News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/GXIzebQL
Website: http://www.buffalonews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/61
Author: Susan Gibbons

DON'T JUDGE INDIVIDUALS DEALING WITH ADDICTION

The issue of addiction is now being brought to the forefront of 
public consciousness, and rightly so. This problem is not new, but 
has escalated to a point where it is affecting people who may not 
have been previously exposed to the illness.

What needs to be brought home is the fact that addiction, no matter 
what the substance, is an illness, not a problem brought about by a 
lack of character. When medical professionals, psychiatric providers 
and patient family members approach the addicted individual with a 
judgmental attitude, it only reinforces to that person what he 
already feels - a lack of self-worth and guilt - which only serves to 
put up another barrier to the process of recovery.

As providers, family members and neighbors, it is in our best 
interest to put judgment aside and treat addicted individuals with 
empathy and compassion. To do otherwise is simply counterproductive.

Susan Gibbons, R.N.

Williamsville
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom