For all of us who have loved ones struggling with drug addiction or chronic alcoholism, as well as those of you who may work in the field of addiction, we are acutely aware that the treatment of those we love and care deeply for is not always the level of compassionate care we would hope our loved ones would receive.
Too often society looks at the behaviors related to one’s addiction instead of looking at the person suffering and struggling with that addiction.
My son recently recorded a presentation I gave to a group of first responders and ER nurses and I want to share that video with you. (He probably should have edited out the part where I needed to find my glasses!! ) What can I say, it is organic, it is real!!
I believe many of you will relate to what I am saying in this video. If you think it may help others better understand I hope you will consider sharing it with friends and family. It is only when we let people “see” the person struggling, consider why, use compassion and kindness instead or vitriol, hear stories, can we hope to ease the stigma around addiction. Erase the shame so often felt by those struggling. Together we can – we are stronger together,
We are making progress but we have a very long way yet to go. We cannot slow down.
You can watch this presentation on YouTube:
I hope each of you are taking the time to look after yourselves. I know when those we love are suffering it is easy to get lost, putting yourself last. Remember taking care of you is not a luxury, it is a necessity.
I hope this video will re-enforce what you already know. That it will validate what you know to be true.
Take care and please keep in touch. I truly care.
Much love,
June
Addiction. A Mother's Story 
Hi June as always, look forward your insight and comments.
What happened with the video? We are still struggling with our sons addiction but MORE SO the underlying psychological part of the equation! He does not want to be there but due to diagnosed severe ADD and undiagnosed ODD, it is an uphill battle as he refuses to seek Counseling. He is now seeing a Doctor and trying. We (his father and I) are still here because he is so worth it. Our son is now in the process of recovery as he admits that he cannot keep this up. Been here so many times before and are hopeful that he can finally break free.
This is confidential please 🤫💌
On Wed, Nov 7, 2018, 3:57 PM Addiction. A Mother’s Story June Ariano-Jakes posted: “For all of us who have loved ones struggling > with drug addiction or chronic alcoholism, as well as those of you who may > work in the field of addiction, we are acutely aware that the treatment of > those we love and care deeply for is not always the level of” >
Thank you so much Linda for taking the time to write.
While progress in awareness is being made, sometimes it seems like for every step forward, we take two steps back. It truly is the parents and families – most often Mothers, who keep pressing government, the medical system, corrections, who are at the forefront in leading the way for accessing services to help those we love.
Standing together and speaking up for change in attitude, educating those who have not taken the time to understand the disease of addiction, working to end the stigma and shame around addiction, speaking for those whose voices are not being heard. We can’t slow down.
We need safe places offering the best of help – not the level of substandard “care” far too often seen in “recovery” houses. The same practices in place that monitor other vulnerable groups, children’s daycare centres, senior facilities and nursing homes, hospitals, need to be in place to ensure the care and support that is being advertised, is in fact what is being offered.
You are absolutely correct in your concerns Linda. We need to be doing better for those suffering and for those who love them.
Take care and thanks again Linda.
Thank you June for sharing this video,,,every word rings true !!! It is such a big issue in the Lower Mainland & does not seem to be going away too soon. The right treatment and support would go a long way in the recovery of those with severe addictions. There still seems to be a great shortage of beds & housing in Vancouver which I hope will change.
All the best,,,Linda