The addiction story in the United States has developed over the years into a scenario where the addict does not have a choice once he or she is addicted to a drug. However, there are other views on addiction, one of which states that the opposite of addiction is connection. It’s important to be open to all ideas about addiction and recovery.
Journalist Jahann Hari and the TED Talk “Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong!”
TED talks are videos incorporating “ideas worth spreading” to a wide, digital audience as well as in-person performance.
In this TED Talk, Hari discusses his own personal experience in dealing with loved ones who struggle with addiction, addresses the pitfalls of the war on drugs, misconceptions about addiction, and interesting changes that have been made to treat addiction on a societal level. He states that the stigmas that follow addiction have appeared only to make the situation worse and that we need to practice a more compassionate approach to help those still struggling get help.
For years the US and Britain have been punishing and shaming addicts instead of offering decriminalization and treatment opportunities to those who sell or use drugs. It’s time to conduct the war and drugs another way.
The drug policy in Portugal changed in 2001 and the results in addiction statistics have been pretty miraculous. They’ve seen a 50% decrease in heroin addiction.
Although this TED talk is worth listening to, those who sell and use drugs in the United States are still under the US laws and addiction treatment is important to those struggling with this chronic illness.
The Opposite of Addiction is Connection
At Morningside Recovery we want to foster a connection to recovery, support groups, and peers. We can do this through therapies and treatments to assist in recovery, such as:
- Residential treatment
- Personality disorder treatment
- Non 12 step rehab
- Holistic therapy
- Career counseling
Call us at 855-631-2135 and we’ll find a way out of your addiction without breaking your spirit.
