For many months now, there has been extensive media coverage on Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and his struggles with drugs and alcohol. Most of these news reports and videos have led to countless jokes, memes and laughs being had, but few have looked at the issue from a more serious mental health perspective.
In the article, "Why Are We Laughing at Rob Ford?", psychotherapist Dr. Howard Samuels offers a different take on Rob Ford and his substance use, one that encourages us to consider addiction as a true medical condition, and pushes us to think about intervening and urging those we know with drug abuse problems to seek help, rather than simply making fun of them and ignoring the pain and deeper struggles they may be experiencing.
A second article, " Rob Ford's Addiction: Reducing Stigma Or Doing A 'Disservice' To Rehab?" looks at Rob Ford and his drug use with regards to stigma, public awareness of addictions, and the impact on others with similar mental health concerns. More specifically, when the mayor "likened his first days in rehab to football camp and called the experience "amazing"" many experts in the field of addictions had differing views as to the message Ford was sending out to the public. Some say he has helped to reduce stigma by getting people talking and has encouraged others to seek help themselves, while others believed he was making too light of the situation and misrepresenting what treatment is really all about.
Take some time today to check out these articles, and consider your own views on the topic!
In the article, "Why Are We Laughing at Rob Ford?", psychotherapist Dr. Howard Samuels offers a different take on Rob Ford and his substance use, one that encourages us to consider addiction as a true medical condition, and pushes us to think about intervening and urging those we know with drug abuse problems to seek help, rather than simply making fun of them and ignoring the pain and deeper struggles they may be experiencing.
A second article, " Rob Ford's Addiction: Reducing Stigma Or Doing A 'Disservice' To Rehab?" looks at Rob Ford and his drug use with regards to stigma, public awareness of addictions, and the impact on others with similar mental health concerns. More specifically, when the mayor "likened his first days in rehab to football camp and called the experience "amazing"" many experts in the field of addictions had differing views as to the message Ford was sending out to the public. Some say he has helped to reduce stigma by getting people talking and has encouraged others to seek help themselves, while others believed he was making too light of the situation and misrepresenting what treatment is really all about.
Take some time today to check out these articles, and consider your own views on the topic!
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