Articles

Hooked
Embracing the challenges of addiction

Medications to relieve pain are useful, in fact essential, to aid the healing process after surgery, for example, or to ease chronic conditions that wear down the inner spirit and physical energy needed to overcome them. However, the risks of opioid addiction have not been adequately addressed. Millions today are being added to those already struggling with addiction to various drugs, from alcohol, marijuana, to cocaine and heroin. It has reached a point that it is even called an epidemic. The road to recovery is long — but it can be reached. A mother and a drug counselor offer some insights on helpful attitudes and steps to take that can point the compass in a new direction. There’s no such thing as a pain-free life, but perhaps if seen from the right perspective, it can lead us to a deeper meaning.