Well the talk today is all about the stigma attached to mental illness.

We know today that addiction is a progressive disease rather than a poor set of choices. With that in mind let's give those afflicted with this deadly disease, the same recognition as mental illness (it is after all, in part anyway, an obsession of the mind). Depression, anxiety and poor self-worth underlie nearly all cases of
addiction to begin with.

Unless people are encouraged to share their pain, the pain of this ugly disease either kills maims or totally isolates the user from loved ones. Resentment grows over a condition he or she never wanted in the first place (any more that I wanted cancer), and as it does, the disease of addiction grows stronger and the user grows weaker! THE POINT IS THAT SHARING OPENS THE DOORS OF RECOVERY.

Those of us who have loved ones or who are ourselves enslaved to some drug or compulsive lifestyle, must dig down deeply for the compassion and love to draw our fellows into the sharing mode. The best way to do so is to be totally transparent and vulnerable ourselves about our most guarded habits or secrets.

Let's tell our stories to the hurting, regardless the nature of problem the persons we speak to may have. Our courage to share may be the only possibility that he/she will ever begin the recovery journey. The first step to healing is our recognition of our POWERLESSNESS to change people, places or things, however, there is tremendous power in our shared stories when they incite another to decide for recovery! Life saving power, I believe!

LET'S BE DONE WITH STIGMA THAT SIMPLY REPRESENTS FEAR AND EGO ANYWAY!

Please remember as well that sickness of any kind is a family affair and all are affected! Family disease requires family recovery and no one can do it alone. In my case it usually took four participants, God and then me and a friend to carry the message to one more!