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Thousands of Californians live with a substance use disorder (SUD). Stigma is hurting our family and friends as it keeps them from reaching out for help.
Unshame California is bringing our community together by shining a light on the stories of people impacted by SUD. Unshame California invites you to treat people without judgment, because no one should face challenges alone.
Andres from Watsonville
“We're still human. We’re someone's father. We're someone's brother, someone's son, someone's loved one. And at the end of the day, that's what matters. I mean, if people are struggling, instead of having that stigma and trying to beat them when they’re already down, why not take the time to ask, 'How can I help you today?'”
Ken from Los Angeles
“My family would tend to avoid talking about the problem, about drug use or even addiction with any substances, because it would bring a sense of shame and embarrassment to the family. And so it was very difficult for my family to admit that there was any drug use or addiction with me.”
Heather from Santa Cruz
“I want to be there to support and help a person that might have been going through the same thing I was, that was having a crappy day, that went through so many heavy things. And I've gone through the same thing. And maybe they just need to hear from someone, like even a smile or like, 'Hey, what are you doing?' to be treated humanely. ”
Jocella from Los Angeles
“I had to put on a lot of faces that were not real. I had to do a lot of covering up, so I could not come out and say easily, 'I need help.' I had to hint on it. I had to kind of imply that I did. I kind of, maybe I might, but I never can really say 'help.'”
Cassondra from Marina
“Being someone with a substance use disorder, it's one piece of me. There's the mom, there's the daughter, there's the student, the employee, the volunteer, the community member, the friend, the mentor.”
Andres from Watsonville
“We're still human. We’re someone's father. We're someone's brother, someone's son, someone's loved one. And at the end of the day, that's what matters. I mean, if people are struggling, instead of having that stigma and trying to beat them when they’re already down, why not take the time to ask, 'How can I help you today?'”
Ken from Los Angeles
“My family would tend to avoid talking about the problem, about drug use or even addiction with any substances, because it would bring a sense of shame and embarrassment to the family. And so it was very difficult for my family to admit that there was any drug use or addiction with me.”
Heather from Santa Cruz
“I want to be there to support and help a person that might have been going through the same thing I was, that was having a crappy day, that went through so many heavy things. And I've gone through the same thing. And maybe they just need to hear from someone, like even a smile or like, 'Hey, what are you doing?' to be treated humanely. ”
Jocella from Los Angeles
“I had to put on a lot of faces that were not real. I had to do a lot of covering up, so I could not come out and say easily, 'I need help.' I had to hint on it. I had to kind of imply that I did. I kind of, maybe I might, but I never can really say 'help.'”
Cassondra from Marina
“Being someone with a substance use disorder, it's one piece of me. There's the mom, there's the daughter, there's the student, the employee, the volunteer, the community member, the friend, the mentor.”
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Our Newsletter includes information on the latest Unshame California updates, upcoming webinars and events, and useful resources and articles.
Unshame California is brought to you by the Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) in partnership with Shatterproof.
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