I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.
Did you know that opioid prescription painkiller addiction, also known as opioid dependence affects millions of Americans? It has always been an issue but now more and more people are getting addicted which has led it to be talked about more. I am sure you know that Opioid prescription painkillers are very effective pain medicines. However many people develop opioid dependence as an unexpected consequence of proper pain treatment. The fact is that it can happen to anyone who goes beyond the prescribed dose of a painkiller medication. Opioid dependence, is an equal opportunity disease that don’t discriminate and affects individuals of all ages, genders, races and socioeconomic status. People often feel this could never happen to you, but I am sorry to tell you that it can!
Often those affected tries to keep their struggles hidden, as they fear their addiction would be misunderstood by others, especially when others judge so quickly without getting the facts. I admit I was that person who thought a person could just stop if they wanted to, however I now know that is not the case. I hate to say it but I thought these people were “weak” or they wanted to be addicts. I didn’t feel sorry for them, I had no compassion and now I am eating all my words!
It hurts me to admit that I am currently seeing what the effects are first hand with a couple of very close family members including my baby sister. Since we are currently dealing with other issues with this and go to court this week, I don’t feel that I should get in detail at this time since we are trying to handle it and get it under control because kids are involved. However, I will say this addiction has really took a toll on the whole family. If you are a regular reader I am sure you remember all the issues we went through a couple of years ago. Well, I am sad to say that we are dealing with it again but this time it has only gotten worse. That is why I haven’t been around a lot lately. My free time now is being spent helping my parents take care of my small nieces who currently have custody of them. It’s so hard because my parents are really not physically able to take care of 2 small children 24/7. However they would do anything for their grandchildren! That is why I try to help as much as I can. However, I must admit that I am still full of anger! I know that addiction is a sickness but I still have a hard time accepting it, especially when the 2 people won’t seek treatment and continues to deny they have a problem. This has also led them to also experience other hard core drugs YET AGAIN, which has led to legal issues, pain, and sadness. The fact is they don’t even seem to care at this point about nothing but getting “high”
I don’t think anybody can truly understand till they have watched someone they love struggle with addiction. I never in a million years would have thought this would happen to someone so close not just one time but many times now! Opioid painkillers can alter the brain’s chemistry by “resetting” the brain so one begins to feel they need prescription painkillers just to get through the day even if they are no longer in pain or need the medication any more. It makes me so mad that Doctors are writing these RX for people who really don’t need them. Yes I know some people really need these medications but if you watch the news you will see many of these so called “pain clinics” on the news! They don’t care about these people they are just worry about the income they are bringing in. Thankfully there are many sites online like Turntohelp.com that provide online resources that allows people to anonymously research opioid dependence, find help and treatment options! Many people have no clue when they start these pain meds the effects they could have. Most people want to get help but don’t know where to turn so I am so glad that there is places like turntohelp.com
So I urge anyone who knows someone or even if you are the one addicted to these pain medications to seek help! You are not alone! However the first step is to admit that you have an issue! You are not only hurting yourself but everyone else who loves and cares about you.
