Coming from a family of addiction, I was very excited for the opportunity to learn about the Needle Exchange Program. I have heard a lot about similar initiatives and, probably because of my background, I believe these programs provide a lot of benefits to the community. Supplying individuals with addiction with the tools to keep them as safe as possible also ensures the community stays protected from secondary disease such as hepatitis. Additionally, I was happy to hear that the Needle Exchange Program also provided these individuals with the opportunity to resources to help them achieve and maintain sobriety when they are ready. Although my thoughts about this program did not change, they were certainly enhanced after the presentation. I was again reminded that addiction is a disease and those suffering from addiction should be treated with the same dignity and respect as any other patient with a chronic illness.
Unfortunately, this particular population suffers greatly from healthcare disparities, which in turn impacts their overall health. Individuals with substance abuse disorder suffer from overwhelming stigma and this contributes to their disparities. They are seen as “dirty”, “dangerous”, and “uneducated”. It is important to remember that we do not know the person’s history and the life circumstances that have led to their addiction issues. Rather, society should focus their energy and efforts on the present and the future.
A somewhat simple solution to the issue of healthcare disparities is to offer this population free clinics where they can receive appropriate medical care. However, I feel that this does not necessarily solve the root of the issue. Persons with addiction often financially struggle and therefore do not have appropriate shelter, clothes, or food. Without a safe place to live, warm clothes, and nutrition, a person’s health will continue to deteriorate. They will become caught up in a circle where the healthcare professional can only focus on the immediate health concerns rather than a healthy future.
The other major issue at hand is, of course, the individual’s substance abuse disorder. This requires extensive treatment that really varies based on the individual and situation. Some of the more successful treatments have included support groups, which require that the person take accountability for their disease in a stepwise approach. These treatments focus on structure for the individual and allow the person to take charge of their life again. A major aspect of this feeling of control is the person having something to look forward to everyday, such as a job. Yet again, we come back to this stigma of persons with substance abuse disorder as “dirty” and “unkempt” because they do not appropriate clothing for a job interview.
There is a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done to resolve the healthcare disparities and improve the overall health of those affected from substance abuse disorder. Some of the more pertinent actions should include more healthcare clinics, shelters, opportunities to acquire clothing and food, and resources for these individuals. Additionally, educating the public regarding this disease would greatly change the stigma associated with addiction.
As a future nurse, I hope to work with such vulnerable populations to ensure they are not stigmatized in the healthcare setting so that they can feel comfortable seeking treatment. I will always remind myself that a person with addiction is a human being, one who has probably lived a difficult life, and they deserve all of my attention and respect.
