Addiction: The Real Killer
We are killing ourselves.
#1 cause of death above 50:
Heart disease.
#1 cause of death below 50:
overdose.
How did we get here?
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Percocet. Vicodin. Lortab.
In the late 1990’s, a movement begins intending to help those with chronic pain. The rate of opioid prescriptions soar; their addictive qualities not fully understood.
As opioids become an epidemic, restrictions are implemented to reduce the drug’s abuse.
Many who had easy access to painkillers suddenly have none.
To feed their addiction, the addict buys pain pills illegally. The number of pills once received from a modest prescription co-pay now cost hundreds of dollars.
The cost is not sustainable. The addiction must be fed.
Heroin.
Like painkillers, heroin is an opioid—though many times more potent, and many times more deadly. The economics compel the painkiller addict to heroin, costing far less than the painkillers replaced.
The next opioid epidemic arrives.
Fentanyl.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opiate, is FDA-approved for patients who’ve developed a resistance to painkillers.
It is 50 times more potent than heroin.
The opioid epidemic marches on. Deadlier options continue to arrive, at lower cost to acquire. The overdose death rate tragically accelerates.
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The painkiller to Fentanyl story parallels the nature of addiction itself, never starting with an awareness of the devastation to come.
It starts modestly.
The addict does not see the path ahead: a one-time intended use to the grave.
Opioids are only one of countless drugs ruining lives—and ending them.
Alcoholism, addiction.
Substance abuse remains the monster in the corner no one wants to talk about.
The discussion needs to happen.
Now.
Take measure of alcoholism and addiction. Friends, family, loved ones. Those who struggle.
Those we lost.
Now think of yourself.
Substance abuse does everything it can to convince you there’s no problem.
Stand back. Go to the mirror. Analyze. Assess. Consider your life. Consider your vices. Without anger, without disappointment, entirely free from emotion—what do you see?
Is it time for change?
Is there a habit in your life that, if you knew a loved one was experiencing, you would do anything you could to help them?
If your children were struggling with what you are struggling with, what would you say to them? You would not tell them to ignore a habit that is killing them.
You would do anything in your power to help them.
Understand: that is exactly how you need to treat yourself.
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Alcohol. Vicodin. OxyContin. Cocaine. Heroin. Duragesic. Demerol. Morphine. Valium. Xanax. Ambien. Zoloft. Dexadrine. Ritalin. Concerta. Adderall. And countless others.
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The real killer is our inaction.
Face yourself.
If you need help, stop looking through the window.
Go look in the mirror.
Face the hard truth that is haunting you—the desperate need for help; the stranger reflected back, pleading with you for change.
The real killer is our inaction.
Reject the concept that your struggles are weakness. They are not. You have a disease. You need treatment.
The real killer is our inaction.
I will tell you what strength is not: trying to do it alone.
Strength is getting help. You are not alone.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; free, confidential help.
This is the moment. Now is the time.
1.800.662.4357
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Family and friends of alcoholics and addicts, I tell you this: after their recovery, they will have endless gratitude towards those who helped them face their deadly reality.
It isn’t easy to do.
It is the right thing to do. It is the very definition of love, which ultimately wins.
For the non-addict who feel they fully understand:
you do not understand.
It is not possible. Their disease is theirs—not yours.
Act from care and concern, but not from a false belief of understanding.
You do not.
You cannot.
And—with God’s grace—you never will.
In Loving Memory
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Jimi Hendrix
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Janis Joplin
—
Prince
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Frida Kahlo
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Tom Petty
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Judy Garland
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Lenny Bruce
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Chris Farley
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Jim Morrison
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Edgar Allan Poe
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Sigmund Freud
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John Belushi
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Philip Seymour Hoffman
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Jean-Michel Basquiat
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Chyna
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Coco Chanel
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Sid Vicious
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Cory Monteith
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George Best
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Brian Jones
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Layne Staley
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Keith Moon
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Bon Scott
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Truman Capote
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Paul Gauguin
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Mitch Hedberg
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Chet Baker
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Dana Plato
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Alan Ladd
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Frankie Lymon
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Louisa May Alcott
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Heath Ledger
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Brad Renfro
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Daniel Webster
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Elvis Presley
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Edie Sedgwick
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Rob Pilatus
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Whitney Houston
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Dorothy Dandridge
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Inger Stevens
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Dorothy Kilgallen
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Kenneth Williams
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Hillel Slovak
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Diana Churchill
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Guru Dutt
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Anissa Jones
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Neal Cassady
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Lester Bangs
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Brendan Behan
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John Tyndall
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Jeanne Eagels
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Amy Winehouse
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Ike Turner
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Peaches Geldof
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Paula Yates
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David Ruffin
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Bruce Lee
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John Entwistle
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Keith Whitley
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Nick Drake
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Thomas Kinkade
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Gram Parsons
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Christina Onassis
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Brian Epstein
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Kevin DuBrow
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Jeff Hanneman
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Pier Angeli
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Tim Buckley
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Domino Harvey
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“I’ve seen the needle and the damage done. ”
— Neil Young
