Empathy in addiction recovery

A mother and her son arrived at the office one day, unaware that their physician had decided to close the doors without informing them. The abrupt closure left them in a state of panic, as the medications required for their medication-assisted therapy needed to be tapered gradually; abruptly discontinuing them was not an option.

Their panic was palpable as they grappled with the uncertainty of their situation. Desperate for help, they reached out to our office. Fortunately, we managed to schedule them for a same-day appointment, marking the beginning of a meaningful relationship.

During one of our conversations, I expressed how honored I felt to be part of her care. To my surprise, she responded by saying that nobody had ever said that to her before. This encounter highlighted a recurring theme in the addiction community – a history of negative experiences. Many individuals in this community have faced ostracism, humiliation, and agonizingly long waits to access medical care or treatment. Her words resonated deeply with me, emphasizing the importance of empathy and compassion in our work.

Jill Becker is a physician.

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