Eliminating the Shame and Stigma of Addiction | Kathryn Helgaas Burgum | TEDxFargo

What if people could change the way they view addiction? Kathryn Helgaas Burgum sheds light on the addiction crisis through personal storytelling and encouragement that addiction is treatable and recovery is possible.
Kathryn Helgaas Burgum became First Lady on December 15, 2016, when her husband Governor Doug Burgum was sworn in as the 33rd Governor of North Dakota. Kathryn has donated her time and leadership to supporting and developing initiatives for fighting addiction in North Dakota’s communities. First Lady Kathryn Helgaas Burgum has donated her time and leadership to many charitable endeavors including at-risk women and children, animal welfare, visionary artists and the arts. Now, as First Lady, her priority is supporting and developing initiatives for fighting addiction in North Dakota’s communities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@petfriendlyre]

Addicts is labeling but doesn't mean these individuals are not contributing to society. Many are addicts yet go to work daily, raise a family, pay taxes and abide by laws. My friend was isolated by friends and family. I was the only friend willing to help. It is cruel and unusual treatment to alienate a human being. Without love and support the person is lost and suffer unnecessarily. We all have addictions such as coffee, sleep, shopping, alcohol. Mine is coffee and so what. People need to open eyes and mind. Thank you for sharing!

[@austindraper776]

Are you Open to be my sponser. I thought it was really kind of you to be so rude to that women who you would be so lucky to know,, how soon can you be my sponser. it’s so hard because all the most successful CEO’s , actors, politicians. They are all addicts and all millionaires.

[@tabithalang]

Kathryn-thank you for stepping out and speaking about this epidemic. I attended the Recovery Reinvented Conference and at that and within this video, your heartfelt message is both eloquent and helpful. Addiction touches everyone in some way and the shame felt for those addicted and their families is heart breaking. Personally I am surrounded by addiction and for years tried to deal with it silently, but no more! Good luck to you in your journey and thank you for already making a difference!

[@Riffmaster227]

We just watched this in my Program and I’m sharing this with many other people. thank you for posting this.

[@KristineDEA]

This video is for my ex, Eric. I tried and failed to make a connection with him and he was not happy with me. He eventually crashed my car into a house while intoxicated, however I still stayed there for the next couple of years before he finally left me alone and confused. I pray for others to get out before it is to late.

[@scottjohnsonproductions5338]

Awesome stuff.. Will be showing this in one of my group classes that I lead.

[@alonsoadrian1363]

you prolly dont care at all but does any of you know a way to log back into an Instagram account..? I stupidly lost the account password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me.

[@genesisbradley1361]

@Alonso Adrian Instablaster :)

[@finallya5oh788]

You hit it right on the head. My friend had some similar things to say on my channel when I had him on.

[@williamthrower6235]

The secret to quitting is you just have to get fed up. When I drank, I got fed up with hangovers every morning. I got fed up with memory loss. I had the shits all the time from the alcohol. I would drink 6 beers with breakfast, 6 more at lunch, 6 more at dinner and around @ or 8:00pm I would switch over to vodka and drink an entire 1.75 liter bottle and pass out around midnight. I'd wake up at 6:00am and start the cycle all over again. Let me give you some advice. Buddhist style meditation helped make my delirium tremons a lot better. I also drank a ton of coffee and Diet Coke during the withdrawal to make my liver feel less lonely - you'd have to be a former alcoholic yourself to understand. I still drink a gallon of Diet Coke a day now nearly 10 years later (averaging 3 2 liters a day of the stuff). Day 3 is the hardest part of the withdrawal. Once she makes it past Day 3, she's golden. It's all down hill from there. After Day 5, the withdrawal will be all but gone. The depression will linger for a few weeks or months. I was still depressed 4 months after I quit drinking because my brain had become so dependent on alcohol to control its dopamine receptors that it had to basically re-learn how to release dopamine naturally without any help from alcohol. Just because I survived delirium tremons without receiving medical attention, that doesn't mean your sister should take the withdrawal completely into her own hands like I did. Delirium tremons carries a 35% mortality rate. Beware! Another tip: your sister is going to have to lie to herself and tell herself that alcohol has been banned in all forms and is no longer produced anywhere on earth to aid in her recovery. I told myself this lie everyday for 6 months after I quit and when I went to the supermarket, I would always look at the floor when walking down the beer and wine isle. I couldn't even let myself look at the stuff. This will help your sister also. If you ever want to talk, I'm here for you. I was lucky enough to survive delirium tremons, and I want to pay that forward. The Universe has given me a wonderful second chance and I intend to make the most of it!

[@tkx86]

Sounds like you gave up one addiction for another.

[@williamthrower6235]

@@tkx86 Look man, a Diet Coke addiction is way healthier than an alcohol addiction

[@tkx86]

@@williamthrower6235 I disagree... But okay.

[@bahuuwas]

@@tkx86 if you dont think alcohol is worse than diet coke you are very misinformed. William, you are very strong for overcoming addiction alone. Keep on keeping on.

[@tkx86]

@@bahuuwas Did I ever say that????????

[@rachelroth2150]

I just came out of a year long relapse and I never want to go back. I still deal with shame concerning my actions.

[@PoppyFloto]

You came through it!! You made it to the other side. Don't punish yourself anymore. Focus on your strenght!

[@rachelroth2150]

@@PoppyFloto 1 year sober, yesterday!

[@herstory1012]

Amen! So moved by this speech...thank you xxx

[@waynegerhart5570]

Thank You Kathryn . Well stated.

[@coppersense999]

I love her message but I find myself falling more and more in love with her style: best described as gorgeous casual imo. The flattering cut of her jacket, the color and fabric contrasts with the soft peach blouse and dark blue skinny jeans on her hour-glass figure, and those clean white tennis shoes are fire. Did she say "first lady"? Kudos, hitting Hugh notes on every front flawlessly. I like to see that, and bless her for speaking the Truth on top it. 👍

[@coppersense999]

Hitting *high notes, on top *of it. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ericayertey1382]

Thanks for your words of encouragement. Indeed I shall get off the control of this Monster called Alcohol

[@michaelmcmillan1425]

I feel you Brother! Same here

[@mikeb2546]

Thank you for all you do!

[@benbrewer5853]

Some people have the allergy and some people don't

[@jogoode12]

hug an addict today!!!

[@hseeb7814]

I really like the video everything what she talked about but one thing I don't like is that nobody tells how to do this how to break a addiction

[@jailhousephilosopher3309]

The cure is give them what they want. Legalize it.

[@astridjaye6224]

The willpower seems similar to diabetes and some diabetes can be managed without insulin so it’s actually a good comparison. I’m not dissing anyone with diabetes by any means. I understand addiction well and it’s awful and the stigma makes it so much more so, I wish people could see addiction and mental health like like physical health rather than the stigma and just thinking lazy and no good and shaming people and not giving proper health care and empathy. Good talk, thank you:)

[@rhimcclure]

I totally agree with every point made but you missed the common causes of addiction. We cannot possibly prevent the disease of addiction while childhood abuse and trauma happens on a daily basis. Trauma affects the part of the brain responsible for impulse control, science knows this but child abuse still prevails. Addiction doesn´t just happen by itself at random. Yes, in some cases, an opioid is precribed for pain and then leads to addiction but the vast majority of addicts have suffered varying levels of abuse/trauma in their young lives.

[@Bluesmusicno1]

I'm 120 days Gabor mate is class rehab and CA meeting s keep me clean

[@pwrslm]

If we remove the shame and stigma of addiction, what use is it to not be an addict? Kids will not consider addiction to be bad, so when they are offered drugs, its "oh, let's do it...there is a cure if we catch this disease". There need to be adverse implications for addiction or everyone will become one. How many people turn away from drugs because of shame and stigma? If the scorpion does not bite, everyone would have one as a pet.

[@jaelyrae]

There can be negative consequences of behavior without having to have shame behind it. They're separate things.

[@FIDIOT-cringe]

As Dr Gabor Maté says. "If negative consequences cured addiction, there'd be no addicts." What other disease/disorder/medical condition would you say this about? Imagine having a deadly disease that destroys every part of your life but you don't dare tell your family, friends or doctor bcz you know that would only make it worse. A lack of stigma isn't going to make any kid that wasn't already going to use drugs start. But it would make a kid who gets stuck more likely to ask for help before it's too late.

[@TTolland]

That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. The only reason you don’t do things is because there’s not a cure for it?

[@pwrslm]

@@FIDIOT-cringe Short a few cards in that deck sir. Clean and sober for 28 years by choice. What deadly disease claims choice as a cure? Figure it out.

[@pwrslm]

@@TTolland Water rises to its own level. If that truly is the stupidest thing you ever heard, I doubt you will comprehend what that means in this context.

[@sarahpassmore4381]

Alcohol acts on opioid receptors. Just saying. It’s basically an opioid.

[@jitenjitenoinam8875]

Keep it up.......

[@kathleengallegos1095]

In united states president obama signed into legal bills we are supposed to be properly assisted . tested and treated medically not just once but every single phycosis .. We are dual diganoisis . im clean today and im started to be more vocial in my care im a miracle.. My higher power and i are in . i will never turn on fellow person.

[@Luv_brd]

I kept my addictions a secret from my family and colleagues for the last 10 years since I was 20 years old. Now that I’m in recovery, I want to tell them the truth but I’m still afraid and ashamed. This video helps but I’m just not ready yet. Any tips??

[@bhattgaurav86]

I would say start with the first person amongst all of them who has some idea about addiction and will not judge you.

[@Luv_brd]

@@bhattgaurav86 Thank you for the sound advice 💜

[@TTolland]

If you’re in recovery then be proud, there’s no shame in getting addicted. Would you tell your family if you were in an accident and broke your arm? It’s not your fault and you’re doing the work to be better so be proud and tell them, it’ll help you stay clean. Trust me families have their own shame as well, what was your drug of choice?

[@michaelmcmillan1425]

@@Luv_brd So how many STD's did you catch??? DON'T be ashamed. I was an Alcoholic for years!!! You'll be ok

[@brettconnors]

A ted talk where the big knowledge dropped is Suboxone? Did she just read a pamphlet she got at the dr office? Come on ted lets raise that bar a little. This is generic addict clicheville.

[@zg3556]

Lets stop the sad diet

[@leviahimsa]

Wait, I hope people know by now that diabetes has a cure - a plant based diet. Same with heart disease. Maybe eating meat and dairy is an addiction. I will be more compassionate to those that may have an addiction because of this talk. Thank you for sharing.

[@donaldbernstein8939]

Having been alcohol an opiate addict, and seen much death and destruction, I ask this question: do you treat an alcoholic with alcohol for the rest of their life? Or meth addict with meth? Or crack addicts with crack? In my humble experience, that insane. I completely disagree with substitute drugs, as nonsense, and pharmaceutical slavery. I also disagree with the characterization of disease. Yes we have dis- ease, but it's psychological not medical, and self inflicted. It takes inner work, connecting with the bigger picture of creation, Creator, and character building to climb out of the pit we dig. In other word work. Something the culture denies instead with " let's take aquifer fix pill for everything, that is no fix at all. Thanks God for guiding me away from suboxone and continued slavery and destruction. These "medications have deadly serious side effects. They destroy the mind and body. Just say NO. I did, and so can you. Just stop and suffer the consequences. And get well, and free. God bless

[@reverse_meta9264]

Donald Bernstein well put 👏🏻

[@sesarahellis887]

Well said . I agree totally. Government are the biggest dealers!

[@lisam8044]

@@aluke5856 well said!! Thanks for putting your reply to this post in...I must say.."some people" are in denial for various reasons regarding their addiction and/or recovery. I have a friend who is a recovering addict that through upbringing still has the mentality that there is no medical reason for addiction and going forward I really hope conversation with young people will be there is no shame, it is a mental and physical disease and whatever therapy the person chooses whether it's Suboxone, methadone or another doctor prescribed drug it is a step forward not back and I am proud of anyone who chooses a doctor prescribed medication to help!

[@tarawasinger]

💯🔥👊🏻

[@JCSuperstar777]

I bet she was fun to hang out with.

[@djcurdislameisaliveandwell1367]

😂😂😂 that was hilarious

[@ncotto053]

she looks down way too much