Un-Addiction.
What is Addiction and Why Do People Have It?
Addiction, as defined by Dr. Nzinga Harrison, is not a choice or a failure of willpower, but a chronic illness that requires treatment and compassion. In her work, Dr. Harrison—a board-certified physician in psychiatry and addiction medicine—emphasizes the biological, psychological, and environmental factors that contribute to addiction. Through her innovative company, Eleanor Health, and her advocacy, she helps to undo the stigma that often surrounds addiction, urging us to redirect our anger at the disease itself and offer compassion to the person who is suffering.
In her book Un-Addiction, Dr. Harrison provides insight into the genetic predispositions and life experiences that increase an individual’s risk for addiction. Her analogy of vervet monkeys on St. Kitts—a population where some monkeys are teetotalers and others drink alcohol to the point of death—illustrates that biology plays a significant role in compulsive behavior. Just as these monkeys inherit their tendencies, humans are also biologically wired for addiction. Understanding this biological basis allows us to see addiction as a condition that requires care, not judgment.
Dr. Nzinga's Journey and Fight for Compassion
Dr. Harrison’s expertise in addiction treatment is matched by her personal experience fighting to free her brother, who has been imprisoned for 30 years. At the age of 19, he was wrongfully convicted of triple murder, an event that altered the course of their family’s life. Dr. Harrison became a key figure in his defense, learning to navigate the legal system and becoming an advocate not only for him but for countless others suffering from unjust legal and social systems.
This experience profoundly shaped her understanding of compassion, resilience, and activism. It fuelled her dedication to treating people suffering from addiction with dignity and respect, realising how interconnected societal injustices and mental health issues can be. Her fight to free her brother is symbolic of her broader mission: to liberate those imprisoned by addiction and help them find a path to recovery.
Redirecting Anger: Target the Disease, Not the Person
Addiction, much like other chronic illnesses such as diabetes or asthma, cannot be cured by sheer willpower. Dr. Harrison emphasizes the importance of separating the person from the disease. This shift in perspective is crucial in addiction treatment, as it allows families and loved ones to focus their anger at the illness, not at the individual. Anger, when directed at the disease, becomes a catalyst for change, driving us to seek help and support for the person we care about.
Addiction often brings about feelings of shame and blame, not just from society but from within families. However, by understanding that addiction is an illness, we can practice compassion and empathy, recognising that the person struggling with addiction is already suffering. Dr. Harrison stresses the importance of providing a safe and supportive environment for recovery, where individuals can seek help without fear of judgment.
The Lessons We Can Learn
Dr. Harrison’s story teaches us the power of community, compassion, and resilience. We can learn to reframe our understanding of addiction by recognising the role of biology, environment, and life experiences. See ten tips below.
Dr Nzinga- Co-Founder of Eleanor Health & author of Un-Addiction.
Ten Actionable Steps for Caring for the Chronic Illness of Addiction:
Educate Yourself: Learn about addiction as a chronic illness to dispel myths and misunderstandings.
Practice Compassion: Approach the person with understanding, knowing that they are not defined by their illness.
Separate the Person from the Disease: Direct your frustration at the disease, not the individual.
Support Without Judgment: Offer help and encouragement without attaching shame or blame to their struggle.
Seek Professional Help: Encourage treatment from addiction specialists, as addiction requires medical intervention.
Build a Supportive Environment: Create a safe, non-judgmental space where the person can openly discuss their challenges.
Practice Harm Reduction: Help individuals set realistic, incremental goals rather than expecting complete abstinence immediately.
Recognize the Impact of Trauma: Understand that early life experiences, like adverse childhood events, contribute to addiction risk.
Advocate for Change: Support systemic reforms in addiction treatment and challenge stigma in your community.
Practice Self-Care: As a supporter, ensure you have your own outlets for support and care to prevent burnout.
Dr. Nzinga Harrison teaches us that addiction is a chronic illness influenced by biological, psychological, and environmental factors and that treatment should focus on compassion and support, not judgment.
PS. Listen HERE to NZINGA’s journey on BRAVE NEW GIRLS podcast to hear how she helps us help well beings on a well planet.
