Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy
Open Access

Breaking the stigma of opioid addiction: One familys story

30^th World Summit on Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy & 7^th International Conference on Addictive Disorders, Addiction Medicine and Pharmaceuticals & Annual Summit on Pain Management - Opioids Drugs

September 19-20, 2018 | San Diego, USA

Ingrid E Blair

3M, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Psychol Psychother

Abstract :

Statement of the Problem: The social stigma associated with opioid addiction is limiting the public engagement to drive government institutions to swiftly, fully and effectively address this epidemic. Embedded in the stigma is the belief of middleclass families that opioid addiction only happens to �??bad kids�?? with �??bad parents�?? which inherently limits their active participation in pushing for funding for public intervention. This presentation is a mother�??s story of how the disease of addiction impacted her family and what we as individuals can do to break the stigma and take steps to change the trajectory of this epidemic. We called him our beautiful boy because he was that; strikingly handsome, charismatic, wicked smart with a dry sense of humor and appealing laugh. Our son, Hunter, died on December 4, 2016, at the age of 24 from a heroin overdose.

Biography :

Ingrid E Blair lives in Hudson, WI with her husband, Tom, and their sons, Jake & Cooper. She is Vice President, Business & Marketing, 3M Drug Delivery Systems Division, a current advisory board member with Rise Together (weallrisetogether.com), a former board member of the Hamline University School of Business, and of Solumed, a medical supplies company. Ingrid has a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. She is a casual runner, a recent yoga convert, and an avid downhill skier. Ingrid is presently on leave from her position at 3M to honor and mourn the loss of her son and support her husband and living children.

E-mail: ingrid.e.blair@gmail.com