When I say don’t judge them I am speaking of patients that may come into the hospital or office who seem to have an addiction to opiates for example. This terrible drug is affecting our youth, teenagers, adolescents and even adults. What we have seen in society is a drastic change in the price of drugs.
You can find that the Extra Strength Vicodin goes for about $5.00 per pill in Wisconsin. Oxycontin 45 MG for $65.
In one day a a young child or adolesent may spend 100-200/drugs. Simultaneoiusly they are ruining their body and hope of getting better, digging deeper into depression as they feel hopeless in a rollercoaster ride through hell. But honestly they don’t want all this to go on. They want to feel normal, they want to have friends, they want to have back there trusting parents. They want to again enjoy the hobbies and activities they used to enjoy.
However it isn’t easy for them. They are addicted to a drug and just as addicting smoking is that you can’t stop addiction to opioids is probably worse. There is a physical dependence and a mental dependence.
There are multiple choices for treatment including outpatient care programs and inpatient detoxes. Despite having gone through detox many of these patients are just going to turn around and pick up again as they are again exposed to the same individuals they were connected with previously, lack self esteem and it is easier for them to say yes than to say no.
People need not judge these individuals, but help them. Think for example where many of these opiate addicted patients first built up this tolerance and dependence? It many times than not from their Orthopedic Surgeon or primary care doctor. They didn’t have good followup and doctors lack knowledge of side effects of opioids and the damaging effects it may have on the lives of its victims, patients and families. There is hope though. There is alot of help out there. Good Bless you if you are struggleing.
