JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Talk. That’s what North Dakota First Lady Kathryn Helgaas Burgum encourages anyone with addiction to do. Talk about it with those you care about.

The first lady spoke before a crowd of around 100 on her road to recovery from addiction and what she was doing to end what she refers to as the “chronic stigma against the brain disease.”

Governor Doug Burgum spoke briefly before the first lady, commending her on her courage to announce her addiction and the conviction she’s had in leading the charge.

First Lady Burgum stated that in her role as first lady and with addiction in her past, she hoped to use her platform to help dispel the stigma surrounding addiction of all kinds.

As she enters her 16th year of being alcohol free, she knew her ultimate mission would be to end the chronic stigma of addiction, which runs rampant in North Dakota.

“Substance abuse is the number one cause of death in North Dakota,” Burgum stated. “Alcohol driving deaths in the state lead the nation. It’s embedded in the culture of North Dakota. We use alcoholism more like a badge of honor than a cause for alarm.”

First Lady Burugm says when it comes to addiction, it isn’t a choice, saying “no one chooses to lose everything because of their addiction” and added that the disease has been recognized by scientists as a chronic brain disease.

She says it’s time addiction be realized and addressed as other diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

Burgum believes that by talking openly about addiction and sharing your stories, everyone can help normalize the conversation around the disease.

Burgum says now is the time to “take action in our work, communities, and ourselves.”