HELP MORE, JUDGE LESS

Addiction Is Never a Choice, and Some Unfortunate People Start on This Road Before Birth

Substance Use Disorder is a serious illness requiring compassion and support.

“I became an addict at a very young age. I had my first drink while I was in my mother’s belly.”

Through volunteer work with the Tri-Cities Overdose Community Action Team, I meet many people who struggle with substance use disorders. They have often spent time living on the streets, in and out of homeless shelters and recovery centres.

“As a baby, I was given a drug containing opium because of colic. I had my first overdose at age three, after eating pills I found in my mother’s bathroom cabinet.”

During a recent event we organized to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day, several people had the courage to share harrowing personal stories and struggles with addiction.

“I kept my opioid addiction secret from my partner. We had a baby, and I was frightened to hold him — worried I might contaminate him somehow after handling the drugs I was taking. Eventually, I opened up about my addiction. I begged my partner to return to our homeland and keep my son as far away from me as possible.”

I’ve never met or heard of anyone who chose to become addicted to a substance. There is a history of trauma, abuse, pain and loneliness in every case.

Nobody chooses a life of addiction Harrowing events often change life’s direction Taking people to places we can’t imagine To escape from torment too deep to fathom

People use substances to mask mental trauma From childhood abuse or conditions they’re born with Physical pain from work injuries and sports May lead to the misuse of drugs of all sorts

If you have a family member or friend struggling with addiction, don’t add to their pain by punishing them with isolation and judgment. Please offer your support, and don’t ever give up on them.

Substance Use Disorder is not a personal choice A moral failing to be scorned by the media’s harsh voice Stop penalizing those who treat their suffering with drugs

Addiction is no more a person’s fault than chickenpox or asthma. It’s a serious illness that requires compassion and support. For those who think people choose a life of addiction — think again.

To anyone struggling with substance addiction, feeling like there is no hope and no one who cares, remember this. Millions of people have been in the dark place you are in now and recovered to live a good life.

Please reach out for help. There is hope. People care and want you to get well. One of them is me — and I will leave a light on. 💗

The quotes above are from people I met at the event the Tri-Cities Overdose Community Action Team organized for International Overdose Awareness Day, 2023. The words in italics are from my poem:

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