Feature Issue on Addiction and IDD

When I was asked to help develop a curriculum on mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) in people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), there was no doubt in my mind that I needed to do it. As a person with IDD who works in advocacy, I always am looking for gaps in understanding and support for my community. There is unquestionably a gap in the space of treatment for MH/SUD in the IDD population. Perhaps far more important, however, is the fact that one of the people closest to me is in recovery from alcoholism. This loved one doesn’t have IDD, and they have been sober for, aside from a very short “slip” towards the end of last year, about the last year and a half. I have seen both sides of the journey. I saw this loved one at their absolute lowest, where the abuse of the alcohol turned them into a person I barely recognized. At the same time, I am now seeing the beauty in their recovery, the strength of the human spirit when a person fights the addiction and begins to take their life back. I have also seen other loved ones tragically succumb to their addiction. I take the scourge of addiction extremely seriously and knowing that I had an opportunity to improve the system of support for people with IDD was something I couldn’t possibly miss.

Author Matt Potter

The professions that support IDD and MH/SUD are siloed, treating people as only having only one diagnosis. Far too often, people see it as impossible for people with IDD to develop addiction. This might be one of the greatest problems facing our community. Presuming people with IDD cannot cross over into the MH/SUD space hurts everyone. It hurts the people being served, but it also hurts the system. If someone is concerned about economic impact, they should care about this. If someone is concerned about people relying too heavily on public assistance, they should care about this. If someone is concerned about people with IDD being supported and cared for, they should care about this. I believe this curriculum will prove to be a valuable resource. I have known the pain of addiction through seeing it in people I love deeply. I would never wish for anyone to go through it. Keeping that in mind, this curriculum, and hopefully others like it, will be essential for working with people with IDD who have substance use disorder. It was an honor to work on this, and I consider it my responsibility to do all in my power to make sure this work continues. We can no longer afford to reduce people to a single diagnosis. We must try to care for those in need in every way we can. All that’s needed is for people, particularly those in power like legislators and institutions like Developmental Disability Councils, to see and to care. With that, a better future isn’t just possible, it’s all but inevitable.