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Doctor Calls for Greater Compassion toward Addicted Individuals

Dr. Gabor Mate, a physician and bestselling author, warns that stigmas associated with drug abuse and addiction prevent addicts from getting the help they need.
"People addicted to power, money, sex, or gambling are not judged or looked at in the same light as drug addicts... 'People think that there is freewill involved,' said Mate."
This misconception often causes roadblocks when physicians, psychologists, and others attempt to open clinics or rehab centers for drug addicts, Male said Until the stigma is removed and people realize that drug addiction is a disease, he said, addicts will not be able to get all the help they need. Source: Cambridge Times (Canada)

Labels: support, judgement, compassion

Posted By: Aspen Education Group

Comments:

Anonymous on 3/19/2009
I think we need to develop a whole new approach to treatment of drug addicted people. I believe we push drug addicted people into isolation and the world of crime with the shame and fear they feel about their problem. We push them into a corner and we force them to be dishonest about there problems for fear of criminal reprcutions. Especially in the case of relapse and treating addicts who have been attempting to recover for a long time.