Marjorie whose son has struggled with addiction
It's a horrifying addiction that destroys the lives of not only the user, but their family members. Watching its effect on my son for the last 7 plus years has drained me emotionally and financially. Heroin and opioid addiction has no bias. I've seen people from all walks of life fall victim to this monster — people who were straight up users and people who started out managing legitimate pain, only to graduate to heroin use. So many people dead. My own son has nearly died more times than I can count due to secondary issues (endocarditis, staph infections, etc.) all brought on by infections from the syringe use. He has had to have multiple surgeries to his heart. One time he was found unresponsive in the hospital.
One of the most painful things to watch is to see how other people treat addicts: as less than human. My heart and prayers go out to the families and loved ones. This is someone's son. A daughter. A father. A brother. A mother. No words can describe the despair of watching a bright and articulate son succumb to the drive to use again. How does one explain the feelings of being isolated and powerless to help? How can WE, in the Unites States, continue to prescribe opioids, make them so readily available, and not make it easier for addicts to get the help they need? It's a vicious and evil circle. I wouldn't wish this hell on anyone. I refuse to give up on my son, though. If it weren't for my faith in God, I'd have jumped off a cliff a long time ago...