The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as “a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. Prevention efforts and treatment approaches for addiction are generally as successful as those for other chronic diseases.”
Learn about Medication Assisted Treatment and issues pertaining to Youth Substance Use in our videos featuring people in recovery and health care professionals.
Watch our Informational VideosAfter spending 14 years being looked at as a junkie, I realized I couldn’t live my life without using drugs and needed to seek help. While the stigma hurt, after two relapses, it led me to work harder in a more vigorous program. Since recovery, I’ve become a change advocate and hope to help others by letting them know that shame and guilt should not leave you stuck in an active addiction – there are people to walk you through the process and you are not alone.
The creation of these testimonials was made possible with funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency. Paid for with Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars.
Do you have a story you are willing to share about how you or a family member were affected by the stigma associated with addiction? We’d love to hear it! In an effort to reduce stigma in Berks County, we are seeking local individuals in recovery or family members to share their own experiences. Selected testimonials will be shared on the SOS Berks website, either as brief written stories or (for willing individuals) as short videos.
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