It’s Only Taboo If You Don’t Talk About It – Touching on the Stigma of Addiction
Let’s face it, anyone who has suffered from an addiction of any kind – drugs, alcohol, gambling, spending, sex, etc – more than likely has experienced some form of discrimination because of their disease. Even the topic of substance abuse in itself is associated with so many negative connotations. I have heard plenty of ignorant people make comments about addicts like, “he deserved what was coming to him,” or “what kind of a scumbag that guy must have been.” But what those uninformed people are missing is the fact that addicts don’t choose to become addicts! We live in a society where people want more, more, more…especially when they are told “no, no, no” by government, parents, teachers, leaders, etc (stay tuned for next week’s topic involving stigmas and government policies!). It’s human nature, with restriction comes temptation, with temptation comes action, and with action comes consequence. I’m not saying that if you drink you will become addicted to alcohol. I’m saying that there is a chance. There’s ALWAYS a chance for anything.
Just like cancer patients or diabetics, there are always precautionary measures one can take to prevent obtaining a disease. The same goes with addicts. No one goes out on a Friday night for a couple of beers with friends to try and get addicted to alcohol. Although, that same situation could expose someone to cancer from intaking second hand smoke at a bar. The point is, no matter who you are, where you come from or what you have done in your life – you are at risk for getting a disease.
“Oh, but alcoholics don’t have a disease, they just don’t know how to say no.”
Oh, really? Is that what it is? After Alex died and the articles came out about my family, I saw people make comments on the message boards similar to the quoted text above. Sure, Alex wasn’t contributing positively to his life or society because of his problem, but I can bet you 110% if he knew of a way to ask for help, he would have done it. As a vocal, honest and supportive family, we talked about so many things that families never even touch on. When you have a disease like alcoholism or drug addiction, there are things an addict is not able to comprehend or communicate because of how the brain has chemically changed from the drug of choice. When I looked into Alex’s eyes, I never saw an ounce of deceitful desire in him. What I did see was someone who was lost. And when you are that lost, sometimes being found is easier said than done. That’s the reality I know.
Anyways, today I found an article that I thought was incredibly enlightening. HBO’s new series, Addiction, has become a phenomenon and has truly brought the reality of addiction into public view. If you are interested in reading about the inspiration for what I have discussed in this post, click here.
Let me know your thoughts about this as well! I love to discuss 
Posted with LOVE by Chelsea Laliberte
Founder, Live4Lali
Phone: 847.814.3988
Email: ChelseaLaliberte@Gmail.com
