Every addict needs to be seen as a worthy human being

Every addict needs to be seen as a worthy human being
Edmonton Journal

Looking in the eyes of any addict you'll find tears, fear, hurt, anger, disgrace and, most of all, despair.

We have shed many tears because of our families', friends' and society's fear and shame of our disease. I know most people don't want to hear or see or get involved.

We come from all walks of life. Some of us live on the streets, some in posh homes. Most of us are your neighbours, friends or family members. What we all have in common are the struggles of addiction, of mental illness and of living one day at a time, one minute at a time.

The huge step we take is to ask for help and the lifetime acceptance that we are hostages of our addictions.

Addiction comes in many forms: drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, shopping, hoarding, etc. It is any uncontrollable obsession to use or do almost anything.

Addicts also fight the battle of mental illness and the closed-door attitude and stigma because of the embarrassment we feel.

We have not just hurt ourselves, we have deeply hurt our families and friends. We have done things we regret, are very sorry for and wouldn't have done if not for the addiction. The outcome is usually being disowned by others, leaving an addict isolated and abandoned.

It takes years to repair the life of an addict, but it can be done. Most of the time it's through the outstretched hand of a complete stranger who has lived as an addict. So many succumb to their addictions. We don't just decide to become addicts. It is a disease. As hard as it is, we alone have to choose to stop, but we will be addicts for the rest of our days. All we can ask is for acceptance and for others to see each of us as a worthy person and not just another addict.

G. Anderson, Spruce Grove