Can Mindfulness Help Solve the Opioid Epidemic? | Karla Johnston | TEDxSouthLakeTahoe

[@amy60251]

Thanks for sharing your experience and your wisdom so thoughtfully, Karla. Your message really touched my heart. Like you, I'm convinced that compassion and deep understanding are the antidotes to so much of our suffering - and our path to opening our hearts and healing our hurts. Stay golden, my friend!

[@karlajohnston8264]

Thank you, Amy, for your dedication to skillful compassion and your sweet presence to those around you. We'll shine together!

[@s.terris9537]

Marvelously inspiring talk, Karla. Now I understand the deep aspiration of your poems which you post every few days. So impressed by your presentation.

[@ASLSLT]

Thank you for seeing the heart, even though words are very limited.

[@chrisfernbuchman9414]

That was absolutely beautiful and very thoughtful. Thank you so much for sharing your deeply personal story ❤️❤️❤️

[@ASLSLT]

Thank you, Dear Chris, for your support and for watching.

[@angeldip5797]

Beautiful share. Thank you so much!!!

[@robertalust5466]

She said a lot….but really didn’t say anything at all… So what exactly is the solution?

[@karlajohnston8264]

The solution is compassion, any skillful response starts here. Speaking from my own personal experience, I kept my own compassion alive through the practice of mindfulness and through writing. FREE: F ollow your breath R emember resilience E mbrace (don't push our loved one or the pain away), E ngage (continue reaching out)

[@robertalust5466]

@@karlajohnston8264 I have no doubt that mindfulness helps….. and is a useful tool… but the opioid crisis is a multi faceted problem that requires policy changes in the medical,legal systems,economic systems …the rehabilitation system also is problematic…the insurance companies pay for medication, but not non pharm pain management…as an example There’s a lot of work to be done.. The opioid crisis is a crisis of despair. Just…mindfulness…isn’t gonna get us there..it’s only one small tool..and it’s a tool that doesn’t universally work for everyone

[@karlajohnston8264]

@@robertalust5466 What you share is indeed valid. Speaking from the perspective of a family member supporting a loved one in recovery, I'm addressing a family member's approach to offering skillful help. The opioid crisis is indeed multifaceted. As an aside, the title was, "Can Mindfulness HELP Solve the Opioid Epidemic." This is under correction at the present moment. Thank you for your wise thoughts.

[@frecovery619]

This epidemic has to be solved on the individuals level. Mindfulness practices help strengthen your ability to direct your attention where you wish. Mindfulness will be part of a successful recovery story 9 times out of 10. That being said, she could have done better on delivering a cohesive message.

[@robertalust5466]

@@frecovery619 very true Although my experience, which is not one of addiction, but still one of pain and struggle.. I find that mindfulness triggers trauma..this could certainly be an issue during addiction recovery..so there needs to be a variety of psychological tools available during recovery, which from what I hear, is not the case in most rehab programs. But in terms of mindfulness that could be a matter of finding a different way to practice it…which I have yet to find personally, but am still searching.