Substance Abusers Mistreated by Doctors?

AUDIO – STIGMA CAN KILL –

June 6, 2023 –

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: Drug overdose deaths in this country are at a record high. A preliminary federal count indicates they hit close to 110,000 last year. People recovering from addiction say they face a problem. Doctors treat them differently because of their history. Katia Riddle reports from Seattle.

KATIA RIDDLE, BYLINE: At first, Johnny Bousquet thought he had the flu. But eventually, he got so sick, he went to urgent care. After some tests, the nurses came back. He needed to go to the ICU, they said, immediately.

JOHNNY BOUSQUET: I’m like, the flu is this bad? And they’re like, we’re taking you across the street. Your A1C is higher than we ever seen before.

RIDDLE: Diabetes. He didn’t know he had it. Bousquet, 45 years old, is also a recovering opioid addict. He still takes methadone. He says as soon as the doctor saw that on his chart, she started treating him differently.

BOUSQUET: They’re like, how are you feeling and stuff? I’m like, oh, I feel awful. And they’re like, we’re not giving you anything for pain.