#JunkieLivesDontMatter

Many believe that addiction is choice and that individuals who use drugs are just “junkies” – and #JunkieLivesDontMatter.

This article is inspired, in part, by an ignorant (not ill-intended) meme posted by a healthcare worker on social media.

The meme said,

“So if a kid has an allergic reaction the parents have to pay a ridiculous price for an Epi pen. But a junkie who has OD’d for their 15th time gets Narcan for free? What a screwed up world we live in.”

Implication: A “junkie” doesn’t deserve a second chance at life. (#JunkieLivesDontMatter) They’re a waste of resources because they lack the willpower to stop using. A person with a substance use disorder is choosing that life. Why interfere? (Especially when all that money could be spent saving more deserving lives.)

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

If you believe it is screwed up for a “junkie” to have a chance at life (and recovery) because they “chose addiction,” your opinion is contrary to the National Institute of Health, the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and decades of scientific research. You’re also a part of the movement: #JunkieLivesDontMatter

Image by SplitShire from Pixabay

Many have joined the movement, as evidenced by the following social media posts:

“Out of all of the houses, 2 hobos decided to overdose on my front steps… thank god the medics got here in time to ensure they could die another day…”

“I think we had less ODs before Narcan came on board. They realize they can be saved if gotten to in time. Maybe they need to be locked up & not let out until they attend rehab while in jail.”

“If it can be easily established that they have a recent history of drug [abuse]… then yes… withhold the lifesaving drug because they chose this. It’s harsh, but justice is not served by saving them.”

“If you don’t have it figured [out] by the 3rd overdose, you are just prolonging the inevitable and wasting tax payers money.”

“If we are repeatedly saving your life and you are not willing to change this behavior, why should we be obligated to keep saving you?”

“My personal opinion is we can’t keep letting people overdose and saving them just so they can repeat the cycle.”

“By continuously administering Narcan, sure, we’re saving their life, but are they really living? I don’t think so.”

#JunkieLivesDontMatter

Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

#JunkieLivesDontMatter: Addiction & Stigma

According to the American Psychiatric Association,

Addiction is a complex condition, a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequence. People with addiction (severe substance use disorder) have an intense focus on using a certain substance(s), such as alcohol or drugs, to the point that it takes over their life. They keep using alcohol or a drug even when they know it will cause problems.

Addiction is a scientifically-proven brain disease. Despite this, many persist in the belief that it’s a choice, or worse… a moral failing.

The notion comes from an early model of addiction, “the moral model,” which was deeply rooted in religion. Addiction was attributed to a sinful nature and weakness of character. Therefore, the addict must repent… or suffer the consequences of his/her actions; addiction warranted punishment, not empathy. Unsurprisingly, this created stigma. It also prevented those struggling with addiction from seeking treatment.

Centuries later, many hold on to the view that an individual suffering from a substance use disorder is lazy or weak… or a worthless junkie.

Today, in the midst of the opioid epidemic, stigma’s unrelenting grip perseveres. Stigma is a poison; it’s dehumanizing. It’s easy to forget a person is a person when you view them as garbage, trash… a “junkie.” Stigma tells us, “Take out the trash.” #JunkieLivesDontMatter

Image by Hamed Mehrnik from Pixabay

To fully recognize stigma’s impact, compare addiction to other diseases. Consider common medical emergencies; many are related to lifestyle. Imagine being hospitalized after your third stroke, and the doctor telling you, “This is the third time I’ve saved your life, yet you refuse to exercise. I shouldn’t be obligated to continue to provide life-saving care.” Or, imagine a long-time smoker who develops lung cancer; they’re not demeaned, called names, or denied treatment.

Moreover, an EMS worker wouldn’t withhold CPR from an individual in cardiac arrest if they were obese. It’s not a debate.

If You’re Dead, You Have a 0% Chance of Recovery

We’re in the midst of an epidemic.

According to the CDC, 115 Americans die from an opioid overdose every day.

In 2016, over 42,000 individuals died from opioid overdose.

Life expectancy in America is actually declining due to an increase in fatal overdoses.

Image by Simon Orlob from Pixabay

Narcan does not enable addiction. It enables life. (The dead can’t recover.)

#Recovery #Empathy #FightStigma #EndTheEpedemic #SaveALife


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#junkielivesdontmatter

5 thoughts on “#JunkieLivesDontMatter”

  1. Thank you for writing this post. I am a blogger myself that writes on creating a new life after addiction recovery. I was a heroin addict for over 10 years. Now I’ve been clean for over 5. I am a productive member of society. When people find out about my past, they are shocked bc they can’t even imagine that I was in that position several years ago. Sleeping under a bridge, selling my body for money with a needle hanging out of my arm. Now I am a wife, a mother, a friend, a daughter, a strong woman. I have been administered Narcan 3 times and I am grateful every day for it. Yes, the first time a person sticks a needle in their arm. It is their fault but the compulsion quickly takes over. There is no doubt that it is a disease. The stigma needs to end and then maybe the epidemic would. It’s pure hell. No one wakes up wanting to become a junkie. And no one says ” I think I’m going to overdose a few times this week bc I know Narcan will bring me back” People are ridiculous and it’s simple ignorance, arrogance, and stupidity. Yet, if it was their kid, their wife, their husband, their mother, or brother, or sister dying in the gutter with a needle in their arm. They would want Narcan to save their loved one, even if it was the millionth time they were administered it. I just hope this comes to an end. People do recover. Not everyone but there are people who do. Thanks for sharing this post. I’m sharing it everywhere. xoxo-Unjunkiefied

  2. Thanks so much for writing this. When we stigmatize people, we make it 100 percent more difficult for them to ever change.

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