Aa
Addiction Doesn't Discriminate
I meant to share this story yesterday, since it was Thanksgiving and i have lots to be thankful for, especially for the people I've met here. Thank you for all your support!
Anyway, I work for the Department of Welfare, over 20 years. I meat a lot of people with addiction problems. I'll be honest, I'm one to judge them because I never had a problem, so I cant see why they do. You can stop. Well, needless to say I see things in a new perspective now. I'm one of them. Imagine that!
I interviewed a man on Wednesday. He had never applied for benefits before, he's 50. He was just released from prison on a work release program. He was missing one of his front teeth. As I was talking to him, he felt the need to spill his guts to me. I did not tell him anything personal about me... for whatever reason he just felt the need. He started by saying, "addiction doesn't discriminate". I let him continue.. it was like he was sent to me for a reason. He said he had been an addict, and then corrected himself and said "I am an addict". He had worked 20 years for the government as a pharmacist. He became addicted to pain pills, and started to falsify paperwork to feed his habit. Of course, he was caught and was put on probation. He lost his job in August. While on probation, he continued to use, was drunk in a bar, fell and lost a tooth. He violated his probation and went to prison.
I learned a lot from this man. .a very successful career, happily married in a very nice section of NJ, had everything going for him. Until addiction got him. It didnt care that he was never in trouble before. It didnt care that he was married. And it didnt care that it would turn his life upside down. He is right... Addiction Does Not Discriminate.. and it never will! God bless all of us trying to fight this demon.
Anyway, I work for the Department of Welfare, over 20 years. I meat a lot of people with addiction problems. I'll be honest, I'm one to judge them because I never had a problem, so I cant see why they do. You can stop. Well, needless to say I see things in a new perspective now. I'm one of them. Imagine that!
I interviewed a man on Wednesday. He had never applied for benefits before, he's 50. He was just released from prison on a work release program. He was missing one of his front teeth. As I was talking to him, he felt the need to spill his guts to me. I did not tell him anything personal about me... for whatever reason he just felt the need. He started by saying, "addiction doesn't discriminate". I let him continue.. it was like he was sent to me for a reason. He said he had been an addict, and then corrected himself and said "I am an addict". He had worked 20 years for the government as a pharmacist. He became addicted to pain pills, and started to falsify paperwork to feed his habit. Of course, he was caught and was put on probation. He lost his job in August. While on probation, he continued to use, was drunk in a bar, fell and lost a tooth. He violated his probation and went to prison.
I learned a lot from this man. .a very successful career, happily married in a very nice section of NJ, had everything going for him. Until addiction got him. It didnt care that he was never in trouble before. It didnt care that he was married. And it didnt care that it would turn his life upside down. He is right... Addiction Does Not Discriminate.. and it never will! God bless all of us trying to fight this demon.
Best Answer
I am doing very well Vicki. The fact that its not a secret from my wife Santa more is a huge difference. I couldn't get away with taking some vics now if I tried. This sight has been a significant part of me being clean for 11 days now.
How true. I was sent to a rehab for health care professionals. Doctors, Nurses and Pharmacists all struggle with addiction. Even more so than the general population because of access to drugs and job related stressors. As an addict and RN, addiction carries a unique layer of shame. Unfortunately our peers are not very supportive and going to meetings can be difficult when your patient's recognize you. It is a struggle to be honest and accountable for you're addiction while preserving trust amongst the medical community. I earned a degree to help people. Now I am the one needing help. It's also difficult to ask for and accept help when we are the 'helpers'. Many of us get interventions only when our addictions manifest serious consequences like criminal or practice issues. Ironic, seeing how we have access to the most comprehensive addiction resources in the world. In talking openly about my addiction, I hope to generate an awareness of the importance of seeking help earlier. So often we teach our patients that prevention is the best medicine..about time we start taking our own advice...
How far we fall...
Your story is typical of many...so very tragic. I always think that if we could just get the damn stigma liquidated, there wouldn't be such stories. I'll bet on any given day,if this gentleman had a "small window to crawl through" and was received with kindness and understanding and given some HELP!, this may have played out differently. This is a horrible disease and it kills us!
I think when we stop discriminating against OURSELVES, things will change! Right now, we're afraid to talk about our addictions and this is the kind of thing that happens...it will keep happening until we all get the hell out of the closet!
Maybe we need to have a parade like other discriminates...
Your story is typical of many...so very tragic. I always think that if we could just get the damn stigma liquidated, there wouldn't be such stories. I'll bet on any given day,if this gentleman had a "small window to crawl through" and was received with kindness and understanding and given some HELP!, this may have played out differently. This is a horrible disease and it kills us!
I think when we stop discriminating against OURSELVES, things will change! Right now, we're afraid to talk about our addictions and this is the kind of thing that happens...it will keep happening until we all get the hell out of the closet!
Maybe we need to have a parade like other discriminates...
Thank you for your post. I totally agree. Some are afflicted with cancer. Some are afflicted with the dis-ease of addiction. Addicts are all around us. They can be your neighbor, friend or family member. I hid my addiction very well. No one knew.
Putting down the drugs is the first step. For me, digging deep and learning how to love myself is my medicine because I can't be just clean. I need recovery.
One addict helping another is powerful and it's hard to do this alone.
The stories I hear in NA blow me away. We are all the same. We need eachother because addiction thrives on secrets, lies and self loathing. This is just how I see it!
Wishing everyone here the inner strength to put down the drugs and start the process of emotional healing.
Putting down the drugs is the first step. For me, digging deep and learning how to love myself is my medicine because I can't be just clean. I need recovery.
One addict helping another is powerful and it's hard to do this alone.
The stories I hear in NA blow me away. We are all the same. We need eachother because addiction thrives on secrets, lies and self loathing. This is just how I see it!
Wishing everyone here the inner strength to put down the drugs and start the process of emotional healing.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
