Cultural Perspectives on Shame and Addiction: A Chat with Yeonjoo Son
I feel like you know- so we actually as a team talk about that- that you know. And my perspective- again, my perspective does not mean that I'm right or wrong, it's just that.
Imagine moving to a new country and diving into a field you barely know. That’s exactly what Yeonjoo Son did when she left South Korea for the US and started working in a methadone program, even though she had no idea what methadone was at first. In this episode of 'Airing Addiction', Dr. Romas sits down with Yeonjoo, a Clinical Supervisor at Spectrum Health Systems Lincoln Street, to explore how cultural backgrounds shape our understanding of addiction and recovery.
Yeonjoo opens up about her journey and the challenges she faced along the way, particularly the impact of the opioid crisis on her work. She passionately discusses the role of shame in addiction recovery, especially in cultures where addiction is heavily stigmatized. Her insights into the importance of addressing both addiction and mental health together are eye-opening. Throughout their conversation, Yeonjoo emphasizes the need for reflection and family involvement in the recovery process.
Her authentic perspective encourages listeners to think about their own cultural biases and how these influence their views on addiction. This episode is not just informative but also deeply reflective, prompting us to consider the complexities of addiction through a cultural lens.