"Let’s be honest here Kevin they’re all junkies, famous or not. They made the choice risking their life by injecting some street level poison into their system. No different than playing Russian roulette. The majority of people really just do not care. "
I think that is probably the common train of thought, "they did it to themselves"
That is very true, and I have been lucky and never faced an addiction (except to maybe McDonald's and their fries, and that probably doesn't count) Over the last couple years, especially after my health issues, I think many of my thoughts have softened, maybe the correct term is "matured" over time. Through volunteer work with others, I have been faced with addiction issues, many times it was difficult for me to comprehend how or why, but they are definitely out there.
Why would that stroke survivor I would speak to refuse to consider giving up smoking, knowing that it could lead to increased chances for another stroke? That's the nature of addiction, common sense just doesn't make sense.
Many times I would walk away shaking my head and just trying to think "but for the grace of God, that could be me or someone I love or care about"
I was thrown into the problem recently head first. I am not going into great detail here because privacy is important and no one would be served by being embarrassed..My mother had called me asking for advice with a situation involving a friend of hers whose son was going through addiction issues, both drugs and alcohol. Numerous attempts at Rehab weren't working and the costs were not cheap. I was with my mother recently and unexpectedly met the person having the issues and I was impressed with him. He was talking about his new job and how much he enjoyed it and how hard he was working to get back a normal life
He carried on a conversation, appeared very lucid and appeared to me to be the last person facing addiction struggles. Less than a week later, Mom sadly called me to inform me he was relapsing and his family was trying to figure out where to turn. Now it is no surprise to anyone these days , that a heroin addiction can prove fatal at any time, and time is of the essence.
Sometimes there is a thing called Karma or fate or whatever you want to call it, but things happen for a reason.
A couple weeks earlier I was talking to a good friend of mine and he was talking about his kids and what they were up to now. During the conversation he mentioned that one of his kids was involved in opioid addiction rehab programs and was becoming well recognized as a lecturer, and I'll use the word "expert" in the Rehab and recovery field.
Again, the fate thing. I called my friend and asked if I could try to get some advice from his daughter. I explained what the problem was and he replied that I was lucky since it was her birthday and she was in town for the weekend. Within minutes, I had an addiction "expert" texting me articles and giving us expert advice into uncharted territory for most of us that have never had to face these modern day problems.
And let me say it again, yes, as the anonymous commenter said, they know the poison they are putting into their systems. Unless you have faced an addiction, I don't think any of us can understand the decision making process to stick that needle in your vein, knowing it can be deadly. I can try to present my limited view, and I still don't understand it, but here goes.
Recently I was undergoing a medical procedure. I was on the table, hooked up to an IV. Something was injected into my IV and I'm not sure what term to use , other than euphoric. I asked the Doctor what they just gave me and he replied Fentanyl. Always the wise ass, even drugged, I asked him "Isn't that what is killing people on the streets?" The Doctor replied "yes, but we tend to administer it a little differently here"
I think under the influence of the Fentanyl, they could have told me they were ripping my heart out and I probably would have smiled and said "OK".
I am just saying that to hopefully help explain the thought process that goes with using powerful drugs such as Fentanyl or heroin or morphine.. I can only imagine the thought process that goes through the mind of a heroin or opioid addict looking for that better or more intense high to get by. Combine that with, in many cases, psychiatric issues such as manic depressive or bi polar and the normal thought processes get even more blurred
So unless you have never faced addiction issues, it is probably very hard to understand why an addict would do what they do, but is a very real issue that is costing the lives of family members and loved ones everyday in our neighborhoods, and no one is exempt. No one plans on becoming an addict, but it might be as simple as a car accident,a sports injury or a chronic pain issue that starts one down that path with an opioid addiction and it grows from there.
18 comments:
Funny an sad when the Crack epidemic decimated urban cities an communities in the 80s it was a war on drugs an the motto was lock em up an throw away the key now the victims are a different hue an the outcry is resources an help you know what state has the most heroin addicts an overdoses ??? Vermont who would of thought so that Karma you talking about has definitely came back ten fold an the media isnt even reporting it
Important post. Addiction is a chronic brain disease and it is critical to reverse misconceptions and stigma.
If you or a loved one would like more information on addiction and addiction treatment visit: https://www.shatterproof.org/about-addiction/science-of-addiction
Some people have Legitimate Pain and
should not be punished for the ones who use drugs illegally. Many Seniors are in pain ---Cancer they need The medication. Any one over 60 should be handled differently.
Most deaths are from the street not a prescribed Doctor.
I don't expect everyone to understand the nature of addiction, but hopefully the discussion will bring a better understanding to some. The opioid addiction's do not normally begin on the street from illegal drug users. Those very people you mention "people have Legitimate Pain"and " Many Seniors are in pain ---Cancer they need The medication" . That is exactly how it begins with "overprescribing" doctors and legitimate patients who get hooked on oxycontin or other opioids. Eventually the supply of prescribed drugs dry up for them, but they are already hooked on strong, addictive opioids and they find themselves turning to the "street" pharmacists to meet their needs and self prescribing and medicating themselves. These "street pharmacists, I think the Police call them drug dealers and pushers, don't adhere to the same quality control measures as pharmaceutical manufacturers, often resulting in death to the users. I hope your luck holds out and no one you know falls into the vicious cycle of addiction, but odds are pretty good you will be dealing with someone facing an addiction eventually. Whether that is drugs, alcohol or tobacco, it is out there.
I don't smoke don't Drink Alcohol But the way u speak--
Spoken like a true person who does not have a legitimate pain Illness.
But Karma can Be a Bitch -I notice You were on the table and
got your fentanyl. What a Hypocrite. You should of toughed it out on the table. But then again You were never in the Military or a City Cop.
You could of never of made it or passed the test.
I bet u don't print this.
Wow, 6:56. You're a dick.
Angry Will is back it appears
Maybe if capitol region stops giving free meds to all the hartford residents who turn around and sell them or trade them. Been going on for years. A zanax is worth two bags of heroin on south marshall street ...
I have a friend who, as a result of a motorcycle accident, was hospitalized.
He became addicted while in the hospital.
Luckily, his Dr. figured it out & detoxed him before he was released.
The claws of addiction to opiates and opioids are incredible. Until psychedelics involving LSD, psilocybin or (to some degree) ibogaine are mainstream, the issue of positive LONG term or permanently effective addiction treatment will elude the USA.
Now THERE is an educated, research based response. Not the typical knee-jerk, undereducated view often seen on this fine blog. Thank you.
EVERYONE !!! PLEASE TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND CALM DOWN!!! Connecticut will soon allow recreational use of marijuana and everything will be ok, TRUST ME!!!
12:14PM, Nothing to calm down about, from the studies and research I have read, apparently marijuana use increases the receptors in a persons brain to increase the possibility for opioid dependwnce
There’s nothing wrong with marijuana use. You can do anything you can normally do but you realize it’s not worth the effort......
Thank you.
Members of the hartford fire dept smoke weed all the time. So what does it matter. At least its not addictive in nature. ....
12:48
Research proves contrary to your comment. By nature, Cannabis is psychologically addictive and its use foments other psychological disorders. Nonetheless, it should behoove Hartford’s tax payers to demand continuous narcotics’ testing for any city employee or elected official. The City doesn’t need anymore cloudy judgment by its so called leaders.
That's complete bullshit!!!I known hundreds of people that have smoke weed all their life. Where did you read that from the DEA website.
When you start your day with a day stopper not much gets done.
Just what we need everyone running around smoked up.
I love it, easy to get promotions and take advantage of them like taking candy from a baby.
Post a Comment