A true illness

Re “The 12 steps to success,” Opinion, July 23

I wonder if you would have printed this article if the first two sentences had read: “I need cancer, man. I need it bad, real bad.”

Addiction is a serious and devastating illness. Articles such as Mike Downey’s (even if in jest) perpetuate the stigma attached to substance dependence.

Robert Downey Jr.’s recovery is to be celebrated as much as Lance Armstrong’s.

Karen Ulvila

Del Mar