Reversing the Stigma of Opioid Addiction | NBC Left Field

America’s opioid epidemic continues to ravage every area of the country; today, opioid overdoses are the leading cause of death for people under the age of 50, before car crashes and heart disease. But what caused things to become so dire, and how can we curb this crisis? In many ways, the first step to solving the opioid epidemic may be reversing the stigma. In Portland, Oregon, we spent time with a group of doctors piloting a program that uses medication assisted treatment, as well as a holistic approach, to treat pregnant women with opioid use disorder—and the results are promising.


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Video journalist
Sky Dylan-Robbins

Graphics/Animation
Hector Do Nascimento

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[alr]

It's so crazy to come back and watch this video two years later! I am so happy to have been a part of this (:

[lafregaste]

There's a lot of stigma caused by society, religion, and old systems have made us belief people with addictions are a disgrace, they don't want to be "saved" cause they keep falling over and over again. We need to accept that addiction is an illness, it can be treated but it needs help from society

[lemar]

The problem is Drs give patient's pills for months, then stop giving them to them after they already got addicted..
Suboxone is harder to get off then any pill..

[yugiabbott]

Andrea I'm really proud of you your a strong beautiful amazing mother that won't let anything come between the love you have for your baby boy proud of you. It was crazy that I came across this and saw you keep your head up

[andreahernandeznunez]

I hope Andrea was able to achieve her dreams and that her and her are son are still together and doing well.

[denamullen]

My husband was prescribed 480 10 mg methadone, 120 roxicodone 30 mg, and 120 2 mg Xanax, EVERY MONTH! Same doctor

[judithdinahisrael]

Amazing how the LANGUAGE changes when the FACES change ... people not criminals, disease not moral failure, help instead of prosecute ... the hypocrisy is showing ... you didn't care then why should we care now? #ReapWhatUSow

[sayrahmarie]

Kratom not methadone. Kratom saved me!