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DPSN: The myth of ‘the addict’ – mental health and substance use in New Zealand

BY BARBARA PIKE

July 31, 2016

For the past two and a half years I’ve worked as a psychologist specialising in supporting people mental health and substance use (ie: addiction) concerns. Over that time I’ve been absolutely stunned, again and again, by the blatant stigma, discrimination and stereotyping that people with substance use problems face, on almost all fronts.