Social Stigma and Hep C

[BoceprevirGal]

   I want everybody to try to be honest with themselves, with this one:  when you find out a person has Hep C, which one of these type of thoughts first comes to mind:

[BoceprevirGal]

  I agree with you Dee, that people who are judgemental may be feeling scared, or insecure, concerning how they feel about them-selves.
   I was glad to see that the CDC has gotten the figure out: 1 in 33 Baby-Boomers has Hep C.  
   I also dont believe I.V. drug abusers, currently using, or who have recovered (I never bought that "recovering" word somehow...I think a person either has cravings to use, or doesn't) should be stigmatized.
  I work with people who are Dual Diganosis, which means they suffer from mental illness, and drug addiction.   The fact that I am non-judgemental with them, makes them feel comfortable about talking about the fact that they use I.V. drugs, and they know that they can trust me.
     The main line I use, with my children as well, when something that they feel is embarrassing, or shameful has occured with them is, "It could happen to anybody"~
  

[susan400]

Sometimes, somebody could have used an I.V. drug once or twice, as in the case of I.V. cocaine, and they may not have gotten the physical addiction part of it, but it was enough to be infected.  W/cocaine, as least with the powder, it's really more of a mental/psychological component than a physical one. I admit, I did use drugs in my teens and twenty's, but never had any of the physical addiction part of it. Never had any withdrawal issues, etc. Never did the meth or heroin type of thing. But, did use the I.V. coke and that was enough to do it.  Then, after that part (the drugs) was history, my new 'drug' was alcohol. Fortunately, I realized I was getting to the point where it was starting to be to often and too many 'overdoing it' times and I stopped it.  I was still drinking occasionally, but didn't keep it in the house any longer. Then, I was diagnosed with the HEP and I stopped drinking forever and that's been 20 yrs now.  

[jules2551]

Bo I don't really know what to say about this poll.  Honestly I really don't like the answers to your poll.  I mean what does a drug addict look like?  I've know many addicts who look like the guy next door and go to work everyday.  And I've know many people who don't do drugs or alcohol and look like sh^&!  And what does a person who receives a transfusion look like?  All I can say is that you never know who you are talking to so it's best to be non-judgemental.

Have a great day!
Jules

[shayne50]

"you would not worry so much of what people think of you if you relized how seldom people think of you"
Unknow author

[willbb]

I appreciate you looking up on google the definiton of "stigma" .however I prefer this one  :)

"small spot, mark, scar, or a minute hole; -- applied especially to a spot on the outer surface of a Graafian follicle, and to spots of intercellular substance in scaly epithelium, or to minute holes in such spots."

Best
..Will

[mikesimon]

Like Will I never wasted time thinking about this.

[dontworry_behappy1]

I agree with your answer to this issue.