When told correctly, sharing one’s lived experience can illuminate the realities and misunderstandings of addiction, breaking through barriers of stigma to spark better understanding and stronger support for the empathetic treatment of substance use disorder (SUD).

When not stewarded appropriately, these same stories also have the potential to further stigmatize, stereotype and disempower, undermining the individual. What are the societal and psychological harms of sharing “real addiction” stories? How we can move to safer, more empowering narratives that respect, uplift and truly represent the individuals they’re about?

Find out on Thursday, Dec. 7 (1-2 p.m. ET), during The Double-Edged Sword of Representation: Lived Experience, Tokenism and the Portrayal of Addiction Recovery Stories, a new Substance Use Interest Group webinar led by Alexandra Plante, National Council’s senior advisor on SUD, and Cortney Lovell, National Council’s director of practice improvement.

This enlightening conversation will explore 11 recommendations for shifting the safety and empowerment of those who share their experiences to the forefront of nationwide public health campaigns and news coverage. Take advantage of this member benefit today!

Alexandra Plante

Substance Use Interest Group Staff Lead

Senior Advisor, Substance Use Disorders, National Council for Mental Wellbeing