When my first slew of drug tests returned negative, the opposition began slinging whatever they could think of in my direction, hoping something would stick.
Tag: stigma
Should Your Mental Health Determine How Your Pain Is Treated?
Patients with a mental health condition might have a hard time accessing opioids for pain relief, while patients with unexplained pain are often referred to psychiatric care, which does little to alleviate their symptoms. Finding treatment can be frustrating and humiliating.
How Addiction Stigma Prevents People from Getting Help
The doctor believed that people with addictions are sneaky and dishonest, and maybe this is why. My treatment has repeatedly been delayed or denied because I’ve been honest. Do other people have to lie to get medical care?
Glenn Close Discusses Mental Health Stigma
The “Damages” actress spoke about the stigma surrounding those with mental health issues during a recent lecture. Golden Globe winner and vocal mental health advocate Glenn Close took another opportunity to speak on the dangers of stigma against mental illness during a recent lecture in central Ohio. The renowned actress was invited to speak as… Continue reading Glenn Close Discusses Mental Health Stigma
How Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorder Are Criminalized
“The more we double down on the idea that pregnant women who struggle with addiction are terrible people and terrible mothers, the easier it becomes for… everyone else to treat them terribly.” Pregnant women in at least 45 states have faced criminal charges for abusing drugs while pregnant, stemming from the idea that they are… Continue reading How Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorder Are Criminalized
New York Times Apologizes For "Demonizing" Moms With Crack Addiction
In their apology, the Times’ editorial board acknowledged the negative impact of their stigmatizing coverage of black mothers with crack addiction during the crack epidemic. When Suzanne Sellers gave birth to her son in 1995, she tested positive for drugs, having become addicted to the crack cocaine that was an epidemic in poor black communities. Despite… Continue reading New York Times Apologizes For "Demonizing" Moms With Crack Addiction
The Empty Chair Campaign Highlights Loss and Sorrow Caused by the Drug War
The families of people incarcerated, distanced, or deceased because of the drug war live year-round with the unique suffering of loving someone whose pain you do not have the power to heal. During the holidays, that loss rises to the surface. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Day, or something else this winter,… Continue reading The Empty Chair Campaign Highlights Loss and Sorrow Caused by the Drug War
HopCat Renames Crack Fries: "Addiction Is Not Funny"
“We chose the name more than 11 years ago as a reference to the addictive quality of the fries and their cracked pepper seasoning, without consideration for those the drug negatively affected,” said HopCat’s CEO in a blog post. HopCat, a bar that has locations in nine states, announced this week it will rename a… Continue reading HopCat Renames Crack Fries: "Addiction Is Not Funny"
When Treatment Professionals Relapse: Shattering the Stigma
We are treatment professionals: we are trained to help our clients navigate addiction and mental health crises. We aren’t supposed to relapse and have crises ourselves. In my last article about helping professionals who struggle with addiction and relapse, I wrote about how 37 to 57% of addiction treatment professionals are in recovery and 14.7% relapse over their… Continue reading When Treatment Professionals Relapse: Shattering the Stigma
French Montana Says He Could Have Saved Mac Miller From Addiction
“If I was around him a couple more nights, I would have made him stop … but he didn’t have nobody that was doing that.” Hip hop artist French Montana said that he could have stopped rapper Mac Miller’s overdose death by talking to his friend about the way that his drug use was getting… Continue reading French Montana Says He Could Have Saved Mac Miller From Addiction