How mental health services treat addiction is stupid
Addiction Economy Thought for Today - I have recently come to see that addiction is an act of self-care. Whether it is heroin, vapes or coffee, someone turns to, (and in most cases is deliberately targeted by a seller of the product with false information), to help deal with an issue and make themselves feel better. Unfortunately for some this gets out of hand and they become addicted and then they can't see a way out.
This seems quite an obvious observation to me, and one which should spark empathy and understanding in response. But it isn't. It is very early days in the un-addiction part of our research, but I have been stunned at the lack of understanding of this in healthcare, which to me should be a foundational tenet of the healthcare system.
The cruelty and stupidity of this was brought home to me by this brilliant and shocking article by mental health worker and academic Simon B. Basically addicted people can't get treatment for their mental health because they are considered substance abusers and are told to go away and get clean and then they can access the mental health services.
How totally bldy stupid is that.
Her is the excellent article