Should they be further down the transplant list? *read first

Question

So I’m watching a tv show atm where an alcoholic has drank so much that their liver is damaged and they now need a transplant.  
In the show the character is having a moral dilemma of whether or not he deserves it since it was “self inflicted” and feels unfair to people who have issues not “self inflicted”
Do you think in this situation they are as deserving of a transplant as someone else? Should they be further down the waiting list?

Accepted Answer

In reality they have to have been sober for an extended amount of time and they do end up on the list based on where they place. They don’t get higher preference in real life.

Answer

No, they shouldn’t be further down the list.
Yes, they are just as deserving.
Addiction is a disease.  People don’t choose it.

Answer

They have guidelines in place if you are in need of a transplant due to addiction/abuse. As long as you are within those guidelines, and living a healthy life, you are no less deserving. When you /your family have directly been affected by this, you’d probably have a different opinion. RIP uncle Scott! Please, become an organ donor! 💕

Answer

no. 
i’m really tired of seeing the vilification of people suffering from addiction. i think it’s weird how much people want to see addicts suffer, purely because they don’t fit their narrow minded version of someone with an illness.

Answer

Where’s the line with “self-inflicted”?
The reality of transplants is that you cannot still be using and stay on the list. Our local transplant hospital will absolutely boot you off the list if they find any illicit substances in your blood/urine. No questions asked, as it’s extremely dangerous to undergo a transplant and be actively using. Heck, one patient was using over the counter drugs, and the doctors decided against transplant, because the patient was disobeying medical advice. 
As a donor, I don’t care where my body parts go, as long as the person has an improved quality of life.

Answer

I feel more so that donors should have the right to choose where their organs get utilized. If I’d prefer that someone less likely to abuse the donated organ be given my organs before someone with a habitual issue, I feel like that should be my right. If the donor doesn’t specify, then the individual shouldn’t be skipped.

Answer

That’s like saying someone should be farther down on the heart list because they didn’t eat healthy. Some people eat what they can afford. I do agree with addiction being a disease. However, every person deserves a chance. I can also see the other side... it’s hard to give something to someone you know might break it. 🤔

Answer

I don’t know, that seems pretty inhumane and cold. As someone else said, if they’re just going to ruin their next kidney with drinking, it’s probably not the best idea, but I’ve read more comments stating they need to prove for an extended amount of time that they’re sober. 
That’s like saying someone who is overweight doesn’t deserve a kidney or someone who is older just deserves to wait it out since they’re closer to death. It’s fucked up and it’s a slippery slope of control. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Answer

Addiction is a disease. He shouldn’t be lower on the list for this.

Answer

I feel if you know the risks you out your organs and body in by doing drugs or drinking and your kidney or lungs fail you should absolutely be put at the bottom of the list because theirs plenty of people who need organs for other reasons rather than abusing their own body . You get what you give in life .

Should they be further down the transplant list? *read first

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