I Believe Addiction Is A Disease Not A Moral Failing

But the addict has to own the problem.

“Let go of the argument and own the problem.

Let go of the dream of controlling the uncontrollable.

Let go of the deflection and absorb the truth.”

I hope all addicts get the help and treatment they need. If you are one, and want to get clean, tell people. Call your local distress line or on call health line (I live in a city and we have both, yay)....just speak up and let people know. If you’re under the age of 18, there’s always youth workers willing to help. I know, I was one.

I lived with an alcoholic (my father) then my SO...it’s been a hard life. There’s so much more we could have given our children, our families, but he chose alcohol.

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SinlessOnslaught · 26-30, M

Thank you... Too many people think that addicts are just pieces of shit that belong in prison. And they don’t question that mindset simply because it’s popular.

Annii

I agree, then they’re released with a worse mindset. And one slip, or the suspicion of one, puts them back in prison. Taxpayers foot the bill, and it’s damn expensive. It’s currently $117,788 (max security) in my country. And that’s just for ONE INMATE. @SinlessOnslaught

SinlessOnslaught · 26-30, M

@Annii Holy crap.

A few months ago I made a post asking why addicts are punished by law and the responses I got were unbelievable. Nothing but a bunch of unlikely hypotheticals and “I know more than you because”.

Annii

@SinlessOnslaught lol ridiculous. It’s the same with supervised injection sites. Nurses staff it and help ppl inject safely which then lowers the negative outcomes of disease and possible assault - but ppl don’t want that because IT ENCOURAGES DRUG/NEEDLE USE.
I worked with an addict after he was released from prison, took him to get the synthetic form which doesn’t get you high, got him engaged with community supports. He did well. Lots don’t bc of how they get treated without an advocate: it’s sad.

SinlessOnslaught · 26-30, M

@Annii What’s a supervised injection site?

Annii

[@or use] it’s a physical place that looks like a clinic, with new clean needles, clean water, etc and staffed with health care workers so that addicts have a safe place to inject. They save thousands in additional health care costs as the addicts will share or use dirty and water. And if someone happens to overdose the staff are there to save a life!

SinlessOnslaught · 26-30, M

@Annii Wait, so it’s just a place where addicts can use safely? That’s amazing!

Annii

@SinlessOnslaught Yep. And it makes a positive difference in the communities (no dirty needles on the streets or in the playgrounds) and the users are watched over. The staff can also attend to other emergent needs of the users, and it brings down overall health care costs. But that makes too much sense - many ppl believe it encourages use.