Today, after extensive @NIDAnews research and @samhsagov support por favor funding for programs and research, there is still #Stigma about #addiction. I still hear people affected by SUDs refer to themselves as “addicts” “junkies” “bangers.” I get the culture, but there is more.

This keeps our loved ones and community members who struggle with #addiction locked into an old pattern of #stigma. We are repeating a process that has never worked. This only helps the heart wrenching results stack up as more and more die from this chronic disease.

72,000 mothers, daughters, sisters, fathers, sons, brothers and more died last year alone from an overdoson drugs. Many of those deaths were related to opioids, and let’s not forget that alcohol is the cause of so many deaths as well. This world needs to get woke about #addiction

We still hear talk about addicted babies to paint an ultra biased picture of mothers dying from addiction. The context of discussions about substance users is that if dangerous criminals and total social deviants. Same as always. Where is it getting us? This must stop.

Cold + heartless language about anyone with any #mentalillness only serves to drive more people away that already struggle with getting the help they do desperately need. Seeing how pejoratively addxn + MH issues are discussed in public forums - would you try and get help?

In many cases this treatment is the difference between life and death. @samhsagov estimates that only around 10% of people with an #addiction actually get the help they need. Many are coerced by the justice system and several don’t complete the Tx plan.

How does the way you talk about #addiction and #MentalHealth help to reduce #Stigma and be part of the solution to these issues that cost us so many lives. How does the way you approach people who struggle with addiction and mental health assist them in getting help?