Monday morning viewing: new short film on methadone

Well done! I was pleased to see the connection made between stigma and how we "other" one another. Good to see this concept making its way into our discourse. The struggle continues to be the ways humans create artificial separations from one another with labels and assumptions. Thank you for sharing this short film.

Thanks, Allison!

Thank you for sharing this informative film.  The more people know about the realities of methadone use, the more likely they are to open their minds to this as an important treatment. Knowledge helps us to rethink our preconceived notions.  To reduce stigma we need to  align our actions to be more reflective of that understanding. Bringing the voice of methadone clients and their families into the picture helps to break down the stigma barrier; reducing the "otherness".  The film did a good job disarming stigma in that way.

Well put, Pam. And sorry about the Leafs!

Hello:

Being a mother who lost her son to Oxycontin overdose 11 years ago, in large part due to NOT having harm reduction MMT availability and the added layer of STIGMA being culpable.....I LOVE this film!!!

I am also a lived experience/family member advocate for mental health, addiction, trauma and bereavement reform fighting stigma all the way, particularity when it comes to acceptance of harm reduction.

I have had the distinct honour of working with both Charlene Winger and Sean Winger from the film and know that this film will make a difference.

Let's get it networked far and wide....

Betty-Lou Kristy

As someone who has been on a methadone treatment plan for over 10 years I really appreciated this film being made. I would have liked to have added to what I say in the film, that my perspective about the eventual 'normalacy' that comes in taking methadone for a long time ( like having my morning coffee) was from the perspective of someone like me who has been stable on it for many many years. Also, that missing my methaodone for a day would not at all be like missing a coffee!! It would feel more like I was losing my life! Being stable on a supervised, medically prescribed methadone regime is a different experience from when I just began it, while I titrated up to the right dose and remained there for at least a year. It changes at different stages of your life, depending on what is going on. But what I think is really  importan,t is that methadone continues to be the reason I am alive toda,y and while some only need it for a much shorter time, some of us may need it for a lifetime. And that should be okay, as it would be for someone needing any medication for life, or perhaps needing to attend AA for life. Its about being able to make the right choice for yourself and having a doctor, employer and family and friends who can accept you and your individual needs, even if they don't exactly understand them, its important to not dismiss them.

Sean

Hello All:

Thanks Sean and Charlene.

You two, as a mother and son team...... are astounding.

Individually, you also each bring so much to the table.

I feel like my late son and I are still a mother and son team. We just do our advocacy by connecting in the middle of realms to provide what may be needed for others(and a darn good example of the most horrendous outcome.....the loss of life at age 25 from opioids)

...and oooohh Charlene....Yes..."The Mothers of Others"...we can do so much with that. Anyone want to help us brainstorm?

(Now....being a person that loves to swear, I typically use mother with another word when I am mad) LOL

Betty-Lou Kristy