Drug Dependence and the stigmata

Do you know how frustrating it is to chase after something you will never catch and hold on too? You continue to spend money during this rampage for something that will only last so shortly. The results are far more devastating to the  individuals and his or her family than you could ever imagine. A roller coaster ride filled with highs and lows,  maltreatment of loved ones and self. Relationships are no more as trust has wasted. You soon run out of money to find  yourslef selling your personal items or even self for this one high. You find yourself in legal trouble, you lose your  license. You think life is over don't you? What is your idea of what this individual looks like? or what job they have or don't have? What type of person is this?

This individual can be you, me, a banker, executive, doctor, nurse, lawyer, homeless person, bottom line is it can be anyone from anywhere no matter who or where they come from. Addiction doesn't know class, race or religion.

People addicted to pain pills DO NOT want to live this way, would you? You have 3-4 kids, a family, great job and you find yourself developing tolerance for pain pills prescribed for your bad back pain. Of course you weren't told by your doctor that these medications are so addictive that it could ruin your life and your families life! The doctor just kept prescribing you the pills because when patients go to doctors we expect something in return for our visit and often times payment of a "copay".

What people don't realize is that there is a huge stigma on patients suffering opioid addiction and they don't want to seek help because they fear what people will say and or do. Patients with addiction are often treated differently by the doctors they see in an emergency, nurses, and pharmacists. TO many, they are seen as drug addicts. To me I see them as a person whos mind and body was suseptible to a chemical which is additive and tried to ruin their life.