The New York Times has just published an article stating a record number of 72,000 deaths in America occurred last year from overdoses. This number reflects a 10% increase over the 2017 projections by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Although some initiatives in certain states have had some promising results, we are still a nation severely addicted to drugs to this level.
The tragedy of each of these deaths lies in its significant impact to a son, daughter, mom, dad or family member.
The grief, loss, pain, and sense of helplessness is traumatizing to those who are in the sphere of influence of those who are addicted to drugs.
I have even heard of families who have had such difficult experiences with addicted family members, they have a sense of compassionate relief upon the passing of the addicted member that their pain was over. This is revelatory of the torturous nature of drug addiction.
Another harsh reality is the impact on children of drug addicted parents.
These children live in fear and uncertainty which creates an overwhelming sense of instability in their lives.
Since they also feel a sense of responsibility for their parent (parentification), they may believe they should be doing something to protect their parent from addiction. However, the child is simply powerless to do so. This emotional pain and instability for this child can cause guilt and shame to build over the years and hinder healthy brain development. Sadly, the parentification that occurs scars the child with a lifetime of deep pain and emotional wounding.
Parents who have worked diligently for years to help their child conquer addiction can be continually drained.
Every day holds new fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and even anger not only that this addiction has happened to their child, but of what unexpected situations will be encountered on a daily basis due to addiction. It shatters a parent to lose a child psychologically, emotionally and relationally to drugs. The child becomes a person they hardly recognize. There is no greater pain than to lose your child to addiction.
Parents who have worked diligently for years to help their child conquer addiction can be continually drained.
Every day holds new fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and even anger not only that this addiction has happened to their child, but of what unexpected situations will be encountered on a daily basis due to addiction. It shatters a parent to lose a child psychologically, emotionally and relationally to drugs. The child becomes a person they hardly recognize. There is no greater pain than to lose your child to addiction.
On and on tragic stories continue. Imagine the stories behind 72,000 deaths and the hundreds of thousands of adolescents and adults who are fighting the problem of addictions each and every day.
How do we continue to fight this horrid phenomenon in our country? How do we provide more help and offer hope to individuals who must participate in this epidemic, rampant problem in our communities, state and country?
My heart goes out to every family that has struggled with addiction.
I certainly want to do everything I can to help and bring some relief to this national tragedy. As it rises in impact so should our resolve to defeat this national tragedy and the trauma that it causes.
Gerry Vassar, President/CEO
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/15/upshot/opioids-overdose-deaths-rising-fentanyl.html
