SOME THINGS CHANGE SOME THINGS DON’T

I was very surprised to learn from someone this week about their experience while preparing for a medical procedure. All the details were covered, what not to eat, medications to stop specific days ahead of time. What to expect after the procedure as far as recovering. This prep also included—as it should—a conversation about how to manage pain. The thing that surprised me was not that they were offered Oxycodone (people have to make their own choices on medications and advice their doctors give them but there are alternatives). What shocked me was how incredibly affordable it was. The total cost to them to cover several pills was 32 cents, WOW!

I can think of a lot of other drugs/medications over Oxy that I wish were available to people at that kind of discount.

A CLEAR PATH TO ADDICTION

The number one path to opioid addiction after medical procedures (dental too) is being prescribed Oxycodone, taking the pills as prescribed, benefiting from that, having the prescription end, going through withdrawal, buying Oxy (bootleg or real) on the street at a much higher rate, not being able to afford that for long, turning to heroin, and you know how the rest of the story often turns out. To get a sense of how often this can happen watch the documentary that was produced by the DEA called “Chasing the Dragon”. This is a 14-minute version of the video designed to be shown to Middle Schoolers.

The profoundly sobering truth is that all of the people in the film have died due to opioid overdose.

EVERYTHING STARTS WITH A DECISION

My hope for you is that you will make the decision to get well in 2023.

I was reminded the other day that 2023 marked a painful milestone in my daughter Laurens’s life. While she was in a detox she had connected with one of the workers. As they were sharing their stories, in my presence, it quickly became obvious that their stories were extremely similar. Starting the path of drug use early, using heroin before they ever even had a drink and several other parallel experiences. The only difference was that the worker had been three years drug-free. I believe LaLa (my daughter’s favorite nickname) saw a great bit of hope in that. She was beginning to believe that maybe that could happen to her.

It was only weeks after this that my daughter made the statement in a FB post that “while doing a drug is a choice, becoming addicted to it is not!” It’s true. You can read the whole story in this post from August 2^nd 2019. I think Lauren made the choice to get well somewhere around this event.

A BRIGHTER 2023

A new year always marks a point when people make decisions that can dramatically influence their lives and the lives of others around them. My prayer for you is that you will decide to become drug-free in 2023, I didn’t intend to rhyme it just worked out.

I am not saying that will be easy, it won’t. I am not saying there will not be ups and downs, there will be. I am saying that it is possible. I have been drug-free for 38 years, YOU CAN DO THIS!

I am also reminding friends and family that this person you care about that may be battling an addiction needs your help. Why not put together a plan to give that to them in this New Year. I pray your 2023 is your best year ever!

This weeks featured image is by Brooke Shaden I do not know the title.