Gabor Maté

They'd say, hey, doc, you're just like the rest of us, aren't you?

And the whole point is we're all just like the rest of us.

The question is, do we want to recognize that?

Or do you want to feel better about ourselves by ostracizing these abject drug addicts?

I spoke to 8,000 people in Sydney the other night.

I asked this question that I asked you, is my definition of addiction, how many would recognize yourself?

Just what everybody puts their hands up.

In other words, in reality, we're all very similar.

And it's rather arbitrary and, I say, cruel to ostracize, select one segment and say, you're worse than the rest of us.

It's just a way of making ourselves feel better.

It's also very non-compassionate and non-helpful.

Well, let me tell you a story.

Six years ago, I was speaking in London.

And I'm very good when I speak with audiences.

I mean, I do a good job.

I'm passionate and I have a lot of facts to bring to the audience.

And I'm a good presenter.

And I'm also very compassionate.

At least that part of me shows up.

Let me put it that way.