[music]
NARRATOR VO: Overcoming a substance use disorder
is no easy task,
especially when society stigmatizes the disorder.
Destigmatizing drug use and addiction is critical to
supporting your friends and loved ones on their path to
recovery.
People feel really alone when
they have substance use
disorders, but they're
quite common.
Substance use disorders sort of transect every subpopulation or
subset of society.
You can be Black, White. You can be rich. You can be poor.
Everyone at every level of society is affected by substance
use disorders.
One of the biggest issues
for people who have
substance use disorders
is being able to get treatment
and being able to feel comfortable coming forward and
saying that they have a problem with this.
When I was addicted to
substances, I kept it to myself.
I didn't share it with anyone
because I was embarrassed.
I had guilt, shame, remorse.
I was a public figure.
I was known by a lot of people.
So, I tried to hide
my addiction.
There's been longstanding stigma around substance use
disorders, which has contributed to addiction and substance use
disorders not really being recognized as a chronic disease.
But it is.
It changes the brain; it changes the body
much in the same way or in similar ways that we see with
other chronic diseases, like heart disease or diabetes.
I've never heard anyone say that they feel badly about having
asthma and taking their inhaler.
But I always feel like I hear lots of people saying that they
actually feel really badly about having to take an antidepressant
or having to go and get treatment for substance use.
And there's so much shame associated with it.
One of the most important things that families and friends can do
for people who have this issue is showing compassion and
showing empathy.
A lot of the stigma around substance use disorder is linked
to the language that, traditionally,
we've used to describe substance use disorders and the people
that have substance use disorders.
NARRRATOR VO: Words matter. It's important to avoid words
and phrases that can create
negative stigma.
Being thoughtful about how we
refer to substance use disorders
can increase the likelihood that
a person will seek help
and treatment.
Even medical professionals, family members, and friends can
use language or interact with people with substance use
disorders in a way that can discourage them
from getting treatment.
When people are met with judgment or contempt, that may
make people less likely to seek treatment longer-term.
So, we want people to have a sense that they're cared for and
that we have compassion, empathy, and curiosity about
their experience.
NARRATOR VO: Because of feelings of guilt and shame,
individuals with a
substance use disorder may also be hesitant to reach out to
their family, friends, pastor, or other trusted individuals.
People can feel very isolated. They can feel ashamed and like
they can't talk to other friends about what's going on.
It often is really hard for families initially to get their
head around the fact that this is an illness, right?
Because there's so much stigma in our society.
NARRATOR VO: Organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous and
Narcotics Anonymous can provide a safe place to seek help.
They can also be a place for family members who have loved
ones with substance use disorders to connect with others
who are going through a similar situation.
The reason why they're called, "anon," anonymous,
is because what is said there is supposed to stay there.
And so, it's a place where everybody is struggling with the
same thing. So, whether it's that people are trying not to
use substances,
or if it's people have a family member who's using substances.
And so it's kind of a safe space where people can talk
with other people who have similar struggles.
NARRATOR VO: For more information about
stimulant use disorders
and resources for support and recovery, visit: