Susan Sinden: Tricky treatment for addiction

Regarding the Feb. 27 sports column “Struggles continue for former Raleigh star Hamilton”: Josh Hamilton’s recurrent struggles with addiction remind us that he has a chronic, progressive, fatal disease, not a character flaw. It can be kept in check with continued involvement with 12-step programs (like Alcoholics Anonymous) but cannot be cured and can progress to death if it is not constantly “treated.”

There have been tremendous advances in treatment options for other chronic diseases, but few options are available for addiction. The stigma associated with addiction and other forms of mental illness and the lack of resources interfere with successful treatment.

This story was originally published March 7, 2015 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Susan Sinden: Tricky treatment for addiction."