The Power We Hold

The ATTC Network is funded by SAMHSA and the author’s opinions do not necessarily represent the opinions of SAMHSA or the ATTC. We respectfully offer this article to encourage healthy discussion to advance our field. 

By Sandeep Kapoor, MD
Northwell Health

Without mainstream advocacy, like we witness for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, substance use disorders (SUD) have long been viewed as an “individual’s problem,” not as a healthcare issue deserving of championship. The alarming stigma that plagues the chronic medical condition of SUD has driven inaction in many healthcare arenas. The lack of investment, education, and humanistic individualized care has created industry-wide fractures in how we approach those with a SUD. The cries of our families and our communities fall on deaf ears — ears that are attuned to understand diseases of the heart, pancreas, and cells — though are unable to understand the science behind addiction. The lack of medical education fuels the lack of motivation to change, very quickly making SUD a problem for individuals, having to navigate on their own, without the support or empathy of others.

The journey we travel is populated by an inherent need for acknowledgement—that feeling of being heard, understood, respected, and valued. Click on View Resource to read the full article.