I think the reason it kills more people than any other is because people seek the least amount of treatment for it. The "what will people think" fear causes so many of us to choose to continue to use and live in hell because we fear the alternative..people will know we are sick. If I had cancer or any other disease I wouldn't feel like it is not a disease a nurse should have..but with addiction society holds us to a higher standard. They seem to forget that Drs. and nurses are just normal everyday people wearing scrubs and a labcoat. If a man with a long history of alcohol abuse chooses to get treatment for his disease he is looked upon as heroic..but just the opposite is true of us. We are considered heroic by some UNTIL we seek treatment for our disease. Then we lost, troubled souls who have thrown away their lives. I wish society could also see me as a brave woman with a long history of drug and alcohol abuse heroicly seeking treatment for my disease before it kills me.
lp