Stop blaming them

In response to “Treatment is everyone’s favorite solution, but it’s not so simple: (Shawn Vestal, Aug. 18):

Although the general sentiment of the article advocates for resources to address the complexity of our current drug epidemic, the comment that those suffering lack “human motivation” undermines that sentiment. Most suffering from substance use disorder want help. Some are so hopeless and ashamed that “help” seems like a mocking gesture at best. Others want the help but are so sick they’re unable to seek the resources themselves and are further marginalized by shame, hopelessness, and a profession that blames them for “not wanting it enough.”

The reality is most recovery solutions lack credible scientific support to back up their impact on long-term recovery. We don’t have a solution for helping them, but instead of addressing our own incompetence, and researching ways to help, we blame the population for not wanting recovery.

Who among us, presented with the diagnosis and prognosis that only 5% of those who seek treatment will actually recover, and the other 95% will end up slowly dying, wouldn’t be overcome with hopelessness and allow the disease to run its course?

More resources is great, but the right resources is better, and when it’s not working, stop blaming the population for the profession’s shortfalls.

Tyler Ham

Spokane