Indiana: Many in Elkhart County don't understand disease of addiction

I have three, chronic, life-long potentially relapsing diseases. They are diabetes, coronary heart disease and chemical dependency (alcohol and other drug dependency). It is the alcoholism and other drug addictions that I would like to comment about.

I was brought up with the belief that alcoholism and other drug addictions only occurred in bad people; therefore, I couldn't get the disease because I was a nice person. I was brought up in a fairly religious home and as an adult was one of my local church's leaders. I did not know that alcoholism and drug addiction can happen to anyone -- young, old, teachers, mothers, criminals, presidents and anyone, including physicians. It is an "equal opportunity" disease.

I'm a physician. I did not know that the potential for the disease was inherited and that it is one of the most powerful and devastating diseases known. The disease adversely affects the body, mind, soul, family and significant others. When drinking and/or drugging, the disease drugs the mind so that one is out of contact with reality, which manifests in a denial of the problem. It also drugs the conscience, which allows a person to often do bad things.

I'm two different people. When I'm not using, I'm a fairly nice guy and try to do what is right. When I'm drinking and drugging, I can lie, steal and cheat. Thank God I don't have to do that anymore.

I'm a doctor who also attends to jail inmates and have found that over 80 percent are chemically dependent and that the only difference between me and some of them is that they got caught and I didn't. Most of the offenses can be related in some way to drinking and/or drugging.

I had the dubious distinction of being the first physician in the state of Indiana to be under the auspices of the Indiana physicians assistance program over 27 years ago. I received treatment and since then have been clean and sober by the grace of God and through the continued help and fellowship of a 12-step recovery program. Addiction is a treatable disease.

The reason I am writing this point of view is that lately I have read the letters to the editor written by supposedly good people who apparently never have had the disease of addiction.

I have been a physician who has specialized in addiction medicine for over 25 years, but I never cease to be amazed and saddened by the hatred and judgmental attitude of many people towards people who are addicted. The current stigma attached to this disease is not getting any less; in fact, it is worsening.

A lot of Elkhart County officials and citizens tend to believe that the only "treatment" of addiction should be prolonged punishment. Our over-crowded county jail demonstrates this. Also, it appears that another solution is to build a larger jail facility.

There is no formal chemical dependency treatment program in our present jail. Is there any wonder that the recidivism rate is unacceptable?

Thank God treatment was available for me and that I have been rehabilitated and leading a productive life to my family and patients. Like any other chronic potentially relapsing diseases, some afflicted with the disease never get well, or they die. But that is no reason to shut the door on others who have the potential to recover but don't have the opportunity mainly because of people who are stigmatizing the disease, who are judgmental and who have only selective love and compassion for their fellow man.

Bryce Rohrer, M.D., is a Goshen resident and a fellow with the American Society of Addiction Medicine.