Opioid and Heroin Addiction Crisis in North Carolina

[@boosqueezy2418]

i was a very happy child, loved life, played sports, got straight As, and became an addict. it can happen to anyone.

[@Lucian_Balthazar]

*Very true fact right here ! Addiction can happen to just anybody, whatever be the age and social class, but in thee end it all just comes to you and just you.. It's you who gotta be mentally strong, with that willpower to say no, to resist to all sorta temptations and if forcefully introduced to it somehow, then you should know where all this gonna end if you'd continue to chase it the next day. You gotta have it in you to just categorically not be in that situation where you'd be faced with it again and have that in you mentally to not chose this over everything else. As it all starts small, in small quantities/doses, to slowly gradually level up to full blown addiction, you are the only one who should know and learn when to quit, when to say no, when to just push away this kinda lifestyle, this circle of friends/people or surroundings that are related to it or that gonna lead you to it. It all just comes down to you and just you, once you've set it all up strictly up there in your mind, then nothing would be able to overpower you, you'd be able to conquer literally just any struggles or bad situations in life..* 😉🤗

[@catalyst4518]

it only happens to people who don't have a strong faith, not to anyone.

[@catalyst4518]

The Devil only ruins your life....and takes it....if you let him do it.

[@catalyst4518]

[@TwinSister1957]

@@catalyst4518 You are 100% incorrect

[@BethAnn-xt1mg]

I spent my whole life in denial of this disorder. Most of it believing that I had failed morally. That I was just a bad person. I am your mother, sister, daughter. I am every person with a substance abuse disorder. We can recover, we are good and we bring value to the world. We can change. Don’t give up, we will have set backs-be kind to yourselves and get up.

[@jessicagrover402]

Thank you for saying this ❤️❤️

[@sunkissed4261]

If you can be anything "Be kind" those are words I will live by my whole life. 💔

[@Rodmic-hd9pn]

You aren’t amoral. You are suffering with the disease of addiction and do bad things when you are high.You will also do things to get the drug.But it’s meetings, people places and things and psychotherapy.

[@040HHr]

Obviously not everybody can recover! It's just another new age lie

[@angeladelcid2589]

@@040HHr it sounds good , right?! I wish we all could recover. I suppose technically it is possible but not probable for many of us. I'm 47 and STILL in active addiction to heroin and have been off and on (more on and very few off) since my first experience w it when I was twenty-four. Honestly, I've accepted that for me and the remainder of my life here on earth, it's going to be either the illegal substance or Suboxone or methadone, maintenance medication. It sucks but speaking for myself only, I don't "want" it like it's said the addict has to to get clean. I can't recall wanting much ever. Not wholly. I wish I could wake up and not be terribly ill and HAVE TO inject myself in order to just be. And that I didn't have to go thru withdrawals to even begin to not use. But I just wanted to say that. And for the other addicts, I hope for you all that you won't find yourself like me over twenty years later still in this lifestyle looking back at all you had and lost.

[@boosqueezy2418]

withdrawal is hell on earth. if you haven’t been through it, don’t judge. it’s way worse than you can possibly comprehend

[@imranxalamin]

been through it. it WAS HELL. 5 years clean now.

[@DanChad-er9lh]

True, and when people say ,’oh it’s like a bad case of the flu,’ they forget to add that it also includes soul destroying depression and repeated waves of chronic anxiety

[@elishh8173]

Withdrawal also includes puking, diarrhoea, nausea, cold sweats and much more. ANYONE would do almost anything to stop this horrible feeling because you seriously feel like youre dying, and it just gets worse. Only help is medically assisted rehabilitation as an inpatient.

[@karliann1]

It literally made my PTSD 10x worse. It's traumatic. Never again! 11yrs zero drugs!!!

[@savage1254]

Also been that thru hell!!! The restless legs, the no sleep for 4-5 days. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone!! People that haven’t gone thru it, I’m happy for you that haven’t! I agree, the judgement that is thrown upon addicts is tremendous!! For everyone that has gone thru it and stayed clean, or that have relapsed, don’t give up. You can do it, you have to go thru hell and back but once it’s done, nothing but sunny skies in future!!!!! Good luck

[@hallcody3]

To anyone struggling with addiction you can overcome its grip, don’t give up! So sorry for all the people in this who have lost a friend of family member. Peace be with you and may your loved one now reside with god and the many other beautiful people that are now gone.

[@boosqueezy2418]

died before she could get help. that’s so sad. for some reason i lived long enough to get clean. i got lucky because this easily could have been me. took me years of trying to get clean. have 9 years, 3 months and 10 days clean now

[@sarahyoung2251]

Why do you still count after this long, havnt you moved on?

[@alyciaaok2372]

Keep counting! Proud of you! One day at a time.

[@Globelle]

@@sarahyoung2251 seriously? Wow!

[@sarahyoung2251]

@@Globelle oh come on.... not long now

[@Amped4Life]

@boosqueazy - Congrats on 9+ years sober. That is a huge accomplishment and know that although I am a stranger to you, I am proud of you and sending you good thoughts for many more clean years! ❤️

[@TTOS69]

Opiate addiction has made me dull, careless, and undriven. Ive been clean for a couple years. You will never be the same after that first use. Its great for the first month, then its horror for the rest of your addicted life.

[@gussampson5029]

Go to church. Get involved in your community. Go do something for someone besides yourself. It's the quickest way to find a reason to live.

[@atomusbliss]

@@gussampson5029 👍

[@kiyonahthundersong828]

I like the old fashioned style of this video. Like an actual in depth news piece. Good work.

[@marytague6268]

So horrendous! Lost my daughter to suicide & I found her! I so understand & will never get over our loss!😢

[@bod9193]

I’m so sorry, Mary. So terribly sorry. I will keep you and your daughter in my prayers. X

[@h2bizzle]

Had the greatest parents & family a girl could ask for. I struggled with addiction in my 20’s. Lost my sister to an overdose. It IS a monster and ruins lives. my heart breaks for all of you who lost someone to this horrible disease. My prayers for those still struggling with it.

[@robertperez-pi1xr]

I’m so sorry for your loss. God you’re beautiful. Glad you got clean. 🙏🏼

[@solidrivego]

How u been doing right now?

[@boosqueezy2418]

being addicted is like being possessed by a demon

[@Mohjoe62]

That is exactly right.A demon that takes possession of you.I come from Germany and was addicted to heroin and cocaine for 15 years

[@00a09722]

word

[@mattneil1449]

In a sense, because it does change how you think pretty drastically

[@Impossibletopossible05]

Yes ! Absolutely

[@catalyst4518]

"being addicted is like being possessed by a demon" That you invited in. LOLOLOL!!!!

[@lisascott4207]

These amount of pressure put on the everyday American person is so overwhelming. I understand why they do it . America needs to stop making life so hard to live and maybe these people will have a decent chance.

[@reefk8876]

We’re in a machine

[@unlistedandtwisted]

Life can be way worse in other countries. America needs to step up and acknowledge this is a DISEASE. You don't ARREST someone with CANCER. You fight it as hard as you can. Some live. Some die. Make TREATMENT for Addiction AFFORDABLE, AVAILABLE and EFFECTIVE. If I were diagnosed with cancer, I would receive treatment. I wouldn't be shamed, blamed and left to fight the worst battle of my life alone and survive it with no one by my side to celebrate it. No one cares when you stop using. They cry if you die. That's about it.

[@maribelbermudez3025]

Don't we all wish? This sh*t is never going away. If you think about it, drugs have been a part of our lives forever. It's when it hits home that people notice .

[@robertperez-pi1xr]

It’s not based on how hard life is for everyone. I got dependent after a year of taking them. After an injury. Don’t drink smoke or do drugs. Life had nothing to do with it. Just fyi.

[@CherylMcAnally-b2w]

We don't choose addiction.....addiction choose a broken person 💔 in recovery 12 yrs clean and sober...God be with us ❤

[@robertperez-pi1xr]

God bless you.

[@Nan-59]

My son was the jokester, skateboarder and had a ton of friends, too. I’m so sorry for your losses. I understand all too well…😢😢

[@samdoors5132]

Yup four years ago, my son found my sister on the garage floor with purple feet. She overdosed on fentanyl and died. She was 58 years old. She took that blue small pill to help with her arthritis. It helped all right now she doesn’t feel nothing. I am 63. I started doing drugs at 12 back in 1972. I can honestly say jail save my life multiple times. While people were trying to get out of jail, I was trying to get in because I knew that’s what I needed and it worked every time . Back in 1978. I was doing heroin at PCP. I got addicted to the PCP. I got seriously sucked up eventually I ended up in the hospital because I got hepatitis from shooting up heroin. Also, in 1978 I got arrested for robbery position a PCP for sales I was given for years for the PCP and two years for the robbery. That’s exactly what I needed to clean up because in jail you work out at least I did and when I got out, I was pretty built, but here comes the drugs again anyways, I’ve been off the drugs for over 30 years thanks to prison

[@Mrthrope]

It’s disgusting how expensive rehab is

[@terriekurney6548]

Trosco is free awesome program

[@Mrthrope]

Where’s that? I can’t find it plus I’m in Canada

[@badbeatbilly8997]

Addiction is much more expensive

[@Mrthrope]

@@badbeatbilly8997Personally, I only spend about $200/m on drugs and rehab is $10,000-30,000. For those that spend $100 a day on fentanyl, how are they still supposed to afford rehab? They have zero dollars to start the day before hustling

[@LeeGordon-fp9zf]

​@@badbeatbilly8997True. But rehab should be free.

[@imshaehen9971]

It can happen to anyone and any parent. As a step parent of a herion addict that is now in prison - we did what we could to raise our kids right and it happened to our family. Virtual hugs to those who lost loved one! Xoxox from Dallas Texas ❤❤❤

[@FirstPeterr]

Shout out to all the responsible people who made the choice to stay sober. Some of us have to make the right choices.

[@cschroeder]

When I got my wisdom teeth removed in my country, doctor would not prescribe more than Tylenol for the pain - it's crazy that a dentist has the authority to prescribe opiates to a child. Crazy!!!!!

[@debbiemohekey1509]

When I got my wisdom teeth removed I got absolutely nothing, except a bill. When I broke my arm, nothing. Had 4 kids. Nothing. If it had been a long labour I believe an epidural could have been an option. Some people get gas. don't know where it was when I had my kids. Perhaps I didn't need it. Broken ribs, nothing. Dr said it might only be muscle damage, no point in an x-ray, they don't do anything for broken ribs anyway. Just leave them to heal themselves. Years later I had an x-ray. They wanted to know if I'd been in a bad car accident. Many broken ribs and punctured lung from years earlier. At the time I wasn't given so much as a paracetamol. Health care is free in my country. So very different than the U.S.A.

[@ScoobyShotU]

No its not people shouldn't be miserable in pain people blame the drs or dentist and not the people for not using the meds right it's bullshit we've taken this to far people like Me who have broken 60 bones had almost 30 surgeries have a bone disease my bones are like I'm 90 with osteoporosis and drs are even scared to prescribe me meds. It's bullshit and I suffer and can't get out of bed because what some junkie died its bullshit coming from someone who has a family of addicts I'm not one but get punished because of this supposed crisis its not the prescription drugs its how we handled it and now everyone is dieing from fentayl

[@robertperez-pi1xr]

I wasn’t prescribed anything here in America, when I got mine removed.

[@missshroom5512]

My heart is broke for the first family. I’m so sorry you lost your son and your grandchildren lost their Dad🌎☀️💙

[@disabiledandriding]

I am a recovering addict. I thank God that I made the choice to get clean for myself and then my family. I also thank God for the VA because they have the resources for recovery. It has not been an easy road to travel, and I struggle everyday with pain, but do not take nor can I take medication for it. That's what my pain management doctor is for. I will continue to fight my addiction till the day I die, and reach out to anyone who also is clean or wants to be clean. For those who think addiction is a choice, you'll understand it once you or someone you love goes thought it.

[@catharinaketelaar7299]

🙏you did it become clean ,you won this fight ,from this addiction and getting your own life back ! Keep clean and be proud of yourself,because you WON this fight ! 💫💫💫🙏

[@teriw56]

Follow the money, who’s benefiting & who’s getting rich…

[@Maine76]

Just a few saddening and maddening stories of lives lost!Just a few of the countless EVERYDAY!So Glad I Was able to get out and be here Today!Never give up on others or yourself, there's too much good too see and do!

[@deniseg-hill1730]

In Germany you only get strong painkillers if you have a serious disease or a serious accident and these have to be prescribed by a consultant and then you are monitored closely by a Dr and taken off them very quickly when your pain lessens. You are then prescribed 600 or 800 mh ibuflam (nurofen) but you have to take 1 tablet pantoprazol in the mornings to protect your stomach. This is also monitored closely. Also you can only get cough/cold medicine and aspirin or anadin etc from a chemist.

[@claire5752]

Same here . United kingdom 🇬🇧

[@anjacatrineolsen9231]

This problem exists mainly due to pharma reps in the US. In most civilised countries, drugs are purchased by the national health care service and made available to doctors only via them. There is no way of pushing certain drugs and no monetary incentive for doctors to prescribe one drug over another as well as strict guidelines on who can get opioids.

[@rosep9866]

YES,, big pharma lied about pain meds being the answer to back problems instead of surgery.. I saw the ad in TIME magazine.... So yes doctors were misled,, we don't live in a perfect world..,, only money making..

[@bendikkirkbakk1833]

To get pain medicine over nothing is insane. Everybody experience pain from time to time. I have broken so many bones. Ribs, collar bone, fot and what not. It's no problem having pain a couple months. Any who, in my country(which is really good) ther's no chance in hell Doctors describe opoiots except chronic pain or abseloutly crushed in a car accident or something.

[@georgeburdell517]

Wrong... most of us have taken opiods as prescribed by doctors and had no issues. When the regimen is to end, we suck it up for the sake of NOT GETTING ADDICTED. This is not about pharma -- it's about YOU.

[@victorhinojos3050]

I personally believe that Americans sense of entitlement to not experience pain, this plus incentives brought about by greed from doctors and pharma companies, have largely have cause this mostly American problem.

[@pirateslife4me]

Heartbreaking - every life is a treasure 💔

[@Vroktar2009]

Thanks Sackler family.

[@pursedelighted8313]

Everybody wants to blame somebody except the addict.

[@dylantaft1867]

@@pursedelighted8313the sacklers did get a hold of a lot of naive people though

[@Jake-n4m7i]

The Sackler family definitely deserves a huge part of the blame. They made basically a prescription heroin and pushed it and advertised it like no other drug in history. Not bad enough? They straight up lied and said that it had a very low chance of addiction and abuse. It's literally a prescription that addicted America and they produced enough of it to supply every person in the U.S.A and beyond.

[@jillspence7227]

@@pursedelighted8313 yep, always somebody elses' fault, and this is why I dislike addicts; no responsibility taken but expect the health system to jump to it and help them! Help yourselves, do the hard yards for yourself and others WILL support you, but denial and blaming anything and anybody else just turns people off, they get sick of hearing it.

[@bod9193]

@Purse Ever heard about cause and effect, Einstein? Read up on the Sacklers and the monstrous empire they built on the backs of those they *deliberately* got addicted to their hellish drugs.

[@Rodmic-hd9pn]

I’m so sorry for your profound lost.I hope maybe you can eventually give support to other families

[@aprilleerose]

Paying for rehab is a big reason why people don’t do it

[@QuaaludeCharlie]

I have been on Vicodin since 1993 and can not take care id my Household and life without a few Pills and some coffee , at least for now my Doctor Helps Me .

[@Impossibletopossible05]

My brother use to be a carrboro police officer, and worked at Mcdougle middle School. I remember him telling me about this 12 y/o girl nearly dying from drugs . He was so upset that overdoses are on the rise in his small town. Carrboro is extremely small , from going to one OD in a week to 6 or 7 a day and reaching his school was very upsetting for Paul.

[@Amped4Life]

Great work to the outreach worker in Wilmington, NC. We need more people like him. Go Mike! I am proud of you and your work to keep other North Carolinians (and visitors to our wonderful state) safer and aware of resources.

[@bod9193]

Mike is a wonderful man. That kind of goodness in another human being is humbling.

[@RaciePSB]

To Paxton’s parents.. I misunderstood.. I thought at first you visited your son every six weeks in a cemetery and then it turned out he was in prison. I know that’s bad, but I can’t express how glad for you I felt in that moment, knowing your son was still in this world when so many others were not. I wish you the very best. Paxton.. I recovered from opioid addiction.. it’s hard but it can be done. ❤

[@midbreezy]

I was prescribed opioids last year after I broke my knee cap. After the surgery I was given 3 days worth of pain medication and sent home with a non-opioid pain pump. There are other options other than opioids for pain, we know so much more now about these meds than previously so we can make better informed decisions with our doctors. My heart goes out to all who have lost their loved ones. I hope our country moves more towards compassion for ALL vs locking folks up. It destroys families in so many ways.

[@SteveMcBride-u6r]

I love your comment. I love it because you owned your choice for what you choose to put in your body. I'm not saying that there are situations where a doctor abused their patient trust. But it's in my opinion that we must be careful with pointing fingers and blaming others for our choices and what we choose to put into our bodies without no research and cation. The days are long gone when you could blindly trust your physician to have your best interest. Part of my freedom through recovery has came through me owning the part that I played in my addiction and other things that happened in my life. It has been through total accountability and forgiveness that I have found connection and love for myself and others. I am not saying that others didn't play roles in keeping me sick. I am not saying that there was things that were out of my control that happened to me that contributed to my unhealthy situations. There was all these situations happening. What recovery and a connection with a spiritual relationship has taught me is I only need to be concerned about what I can do, or what actions can I focus on to help change my situation in a healthy and positive way. I cannot and will not waste anymore time on dwelling over situations or things that are beyond my control. I have found that when I do this I gain my power to live a free live and love myself and others. To anyone out there struggling please don't give up. I was 40 years old before I started to change. It's never to late

[@Rodmic-hd9pn]

I so sorry for all of you who have had this tragedy that affect all cultures, nationality and different socioeconomic backgrounds

[@bod9193]

Bless all those families and their departed loved ones. Addiction isn’t a choice. You weren’t bad parents. All of you did the right thing. Thinking of you.

[@tammytilley6051]

What a beautiful house , looks like a nice neighborhood… sadly drugs happen within the best of families..

[@papabones-G48]

Thanks for posting, could do without the background music. "KEEP ON KEEPIN ON"

[@INFJ2]

Honestly its made it a nightmare for people with legitimate pain to get any help whatsoever. Even to have an intensive surgical procedure and Tylenol w Codeine is in the option as they are removing a mass from my reproductive system, my ovaries and fallopian tubes? MD wont even prescribe meds for the current pain Im in bc of the mass before surgery. Regular contempt from medical professionals who treat everyone like an addict. Im bitter. Not everyone is an addict. Im not sure where everyone is getting their drugs but given the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction its affecting those that really need help. Addicts have ruined it for others as well.

[@JamieHowell-vz4wi]

Well it's not like addicts can help it that they got addicted

[@Blunt_Man]

You're right, went from prescribing opioids for a tooth ache to not getting so much as a Tylenol 3 unless you're terminally ill. That's one thing this country is horrible at, finding the right balance. Multiple other issues where this has been the case from the amount of time in prison we're giving people to the requirements to own a firearm (that's more state by state but same idea none the less).

[@greg9069]

@@JamieHowell-vz4withey can though, and people in pain don’t get addicted because the pain relief is worth so much more than any high.

[@stacyrose4549]

Addicts didn’t ruin it for others. The only people to blame is big pharma! Specifically Purdue. The beginning of the downfall was highly addictive OxyContin, which led to cheaper alternative heroin which turned to cheaper, mass produced Fentynl. Purdue and all the pill mills ruined it for anyone actually needing pain meds because now doctors are terrified of over prescribing pain meds. I truly am sorry for your pain. My mom is going thru ovarian cancer and also had major surgery. She was treated with a pain block at surgery which lasted I want to say 3 days and was provided with pain medication when she was discharged. Your doctor borders negligent for not prescribing you meds after major surgery. I think as women our pain is majorly dismissed in the medical field.

[@kria9119]

There is an additional level do this, as women always get poorer healthcare (scientifically proven). I have a nightmarish experience with very similar surgery on my uterus, was also ridiculed when I cried from pain. I'm from europe, mind you, so opioids are out of the picture anyway, but I had to literally scream to even get an Ibuprofen. Women healht services are a joke

[@JaneKing-b8j]

So sorry for your loss, it's a very difficult thing ! So sorry

[@janetmcdonald2572]

Why did they cut funding in half when the problem is not getting better?

[@Blunt_Man]

They can throw all the money in the world at it, if it's not being used to fund programs that are shown to actually work, it's pointless.

[@Rawkstar2210]

I feel for anyone battling addiction or whos lost a loved one. But I also feel for the ppl in pain who are suffering because they can't get the proper medication. Ppl who had no addiction and who were leading productive lives who got kicked off their pain meds because others got addicted. The government punished everyone with the war on opioids. They didn't stop ppl from using and forcing treatment has been proven not to work. I just wish we could make policies that make sense.

[@michaelwells1783]

The Policy Has Been Set . AA/NA Working The 12 Steps.

[@Blunt_Man]

Thinking the government will get anything right is giving them way too much credit. I can't think of one issue here at home they won't likely just make worse unfortunately, especially issues that pertain to individual problems. The scariest phrase you can hear in America- I'm from the government and here to help" cuz that's the last thing that's going to happen.

[@staceyshaffer180]

Thank you for acknowledging this topic. I’m a 64 yo lady with CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) and that’s exactly what happened to me. I’ve been on every pain medication they make, from the Oxycodone to Vicodin for over 30 years. I’ve never abused my meds, and always abide by the pain management program. In 2018 I was cut off from pain medication due to the “opioid crisis”. I filed a medical malpractice lawsuit for abandonment and mistreatment by a physician. I won. I could go on and on about this topic and what I went through mentally and physically. I wish everyone the best and hope those who suffer get the help they need.

[@Globelle]

Couldn't agree more. My best friends 83 yr old mother broke her back in Atlanta GA, NO DRUG ISSUES OR ADDICTION and they won't give her what she needs to not cry and scream in pain. Disgusting

[@Globelle]

​@@staceyshaffer180this is all by design. Population control. IMO

[@luckyjohnson6988]

Thank goodness for the computer that keeps track of all opioid prescription that is the only reason that I got back on my hydros when I had to find a new Dr.

[@debraphipps1028]

If you live in North Carolina try Broughton Hospital in Morganton North Carolina. I don’t know if they could help anyone but it’s worth a try to save somebody’s life. It’s a mental hospital but I believe drug addiction goes hand-in-hand with mental illness

[@AliciaM5555]

Same

[@r7kelley553]

I live in Asheville and my brother's girlfriend was sent to Broughton in the mid 90's.

[@jillspence7227]

Perhaps they are treating everybody like an addict because addicts are blaming everybody including doctors for their addiction. It works both ways.

[@josephrusso7069]

Every day, I wish I could take myself out of this life. Yet, I still could never bring myself to do drugs. I'm in pain every day, physically and emotionally.. I honestly don't like life, I never have. I'm 54.

[@AliciaM5555]

❤️

[@nunyabizness573]

Gabapentin is a non addictive prescription drug that provides emotional relief/mood stability. It is also called Neurontin. It doesn't work for everyone but you might ask a doctor for a trial dose. Usually they start off at low dose and increase it gradually.

[@greg9069]

Why suffer in physical pain? You could maintain a low dose opioid use for years without needing a higher dose… these addicts are chasing a high and always upping the dose. It’s different. You shouldn’t suffer with low quality of life because of the propaganda surrounding these drugs.

[@Harr57]

I'm sorry your so unhappy. Find out what makes you happy, get out an make friends. I hope you find some joy in your life soon and persue that.

[@georgeburdell517]

Whoa! Jose... get up tomorrow and go to church!

[@rickboer7715]

So sorry for what happened, Kudoz to the Grandparents for stepping up

[@eveliinaniilivuo7329]

Who the heck prescribes opioids to a 15-year old?!🤯🤦🏼

[@Rawkstar2210]

Sounds like he had a broken arm. Broken bones take a long time to heal and hurt like ever living hell. Controlling the pain is important because in order for the bone to heal correctly you must restrict movement. Also healing is much slower if pain isn't controlled. Sometimes in life you can do everything right and still get addicted.

[@eveliinaniilivuo7329]

@@Rawkstar2210 I’ve had a broken arm, and broken jaw at the same time, still the doc didn’t prescribe me any opiates. There’s other pain medicines too.

[@debraphipps1028]

I’ve got one for you my daughter started her period at 10 with unbearable pain for a 10-year-old. I took her to our local ER and he’s prescribed for my 10-year-old who couldn’t even swallow pills liquid Vicodin extra strength didn’t try anything else went straight for the opiates and thank God my daughter took it once, and never wanted you to again and the thing that helps her the most still to this day is 800 mg of ibuprofen, one or two on her first day of her.

[@dylantaft1867]

I was prescribed at 14 out here in Utah. We have a big problem here, and have had one for decades. I fell in love immediately, ended up doing heroin like many others. Thank god I got out of it alive.

[@deniseg-hill1730]

I had a broken humerus. Fortunately I did not have any pain after it was sorted out. I was only given ibuflam (nurofen), because of my age they kept me in hospital 10 days. I didn't need to take the ibuflam. No way would they give out opiates here in Germany unless you had a very serious illness or serious accident and then it would be closely monitored by your Dr with the instructions from the Consultant who oversaw your hospital treatment.

[@h2bizzle]

God bless these people trying to help too🙏❤️

[@londonmae425]

I think the resource money should come from the pharmaceutical companies that provide these medication’s

[@greg9069]

There are millions of people in pain who need these medications everyday. The pharmaceuticals who make them and say risk of adidction on the bottle have done nothing wrong.. the laws making it near impossible to get the real drugs and force people onto adulterated pills are the real kller.

[@tlp4002]

@@londonmae425 There is money out there through the Opiod Fund from the Sackler family and its pharmaceutical companies. Lots of times that organizations are unsure about how to grant write.

[@elitereptilian200]

yeah.. I stole my mom's jewellery too.. grandma's too.. sisters.. It's been a while and I am now on the last legs of my treatment and ready to start living completely off this stuff.. I have really good relationship with my family now too, getting to treatment when I got decade back saved my life.. It's a sickness that takes away your free will and you really meed to hit rock bottom or die before you are ready for help, it has that strong hold over you.. I am sorry for everyone lost a loved one to this..

[@Bretski126]

The responses are so typical. They want to go to school, get a job, become a consular. The bottom line is that these drugs are more powerful than you or I. This is why over 100,000 people in the States die of overdose every year. The drugs will win, almost every time. Don’t ever think you can just give it a try, for the hell of it.

[@kristy4619]

I live in NC and I'm part of the group that was prescribed opiods for a back injury BUT I thank God I was able to get away from them. I never went to herion. I was offered when I couldn't find opiods but I always turned it down. I'm now on suboxone and haven't done opiods in 4 years. I carry narcan in all my vehicles.

[@maribelbermudez3025]

It's true. Putting them in jail only makes things worse. I went in for 6 months for my 3rd DUI. I lost my apartment, my children and my pride. I felt like I lost it all. During those 6 months, it was a revolving door with drug addicts. One actually died in her cell. She was so high. That was her 3rd time in my 6 months. Such a sweet, young, girl. So sweet. I sort of clung to her while I was there. I've never been in jail. Never had a speeding ticket. Nada. And here I was serving 6 months. I was devastated. They're changing the laws in NJ where mental health will be taken into consideration when dealing with addition. That is, send them to the hospital instead of a jail. Teach them how to live without addition. Addiction Personality Disorder is a real illness.

[@LeeGordon-fp9zf]

You had 3 drunk driving charges. You knew after yr first mistake, you could kill other ppls children with yr behaviour, but you didn't care. Hope yr better now.

[@maribelbermudez3025]

@LeeGordon-fp9zf You don't know me from a can of paint. Your comment is offensive and cruel. And unnecessary. Judgmental. Are you perfect? I don't think so. Far from it. Out of all the comments made here, yours is the weakest. Be Kind.

[@Deplorable2]

Umbrella yes we do..u got 3..count them 3 dui's....no you did not care till they clanged the cage door shut...

[@Machute8484]

It seems like no one in the comments works or has worked in healthcare. I don’t blame physicians, I blame the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare. When you go to a hospital, doctor’s office, patient satisfaction surveys are randomly sent out. A few of the questions you are asked is how is/was your pain managed, was your pain effectively managed. If you say no, that hospital/doctor’s office has to eat the cost of your visit…even hospital bills in the tens of thousands of dollars and more. As such, if you said your pain was uncontrolled, physicians ordered medication to control your said pain…because “the patient’s pain is what the patient says it is” and these facilities want/need that reimbursement. Thankfully this has had some slight changes, but too little too late. Yes addiction is a disease, yes addicts need help, but government needs to stay out of healthcare, and healthcare should not be for-profit. -from a RN of over a decade, and a member of a family of addicts.

[@NinaBaby210]

Prescribing children #opiates under ANY medical circumstance besides surgery, should never be a course of acceptable treatment for a minor. Addiction does NOT discriminate!!!! It doesn’t care about your house in the suburbs. Your annual income; none of that matters to #drugs. PREVENTION will always be the #1 sure-fire way to avoid this cycle.

[@bendikkirkbakk1833]

No one should be described opiats or other's dangerous substances if its not for chronic pain patients. People can tough it up until things get's better. This guy just had a broken arm. In my own experiences. Broken ribs is painful. You can't breath almost with out pain. You suck it up for a couple months, is what you do.

[@Lucian_Balthazar]

​@@bendikkirkbakk1833 *True that, but nowadays whatever be the medical issue they just prescribe you with opiates, even the smallest of injuries, where there are weak mild pains, they just wanna end dealing with you by prescribing you these highly addictive opiates, which just literally open up the doors to hell for those patients, in return in most cases this just turn out to be an addiction and the need to chase for more of that high, it just triggers your senses to get higher highs, and all those who fall into this temptation, end up being an addict....*

[@greg9069]

@@bendikkirkbakk1833agreed. I take them for chronic pain. Unfortunately there’s contracts under chronic pain treatment, that say you can’t use marijuana, not supposed to use alcohol, or any other forms of self medication.. well in most cases the amount of pain medication is quite limited, and as most people can use pot without having physical withdrawal, it’s a much better option for sleep aid etc, but this is when people start abusing their meds and become addicts, because 3 pills a day really isn’t much for quality of life, it just helps you get by, but medical thc could really help in ways that would spare opioid use and tolerance, but it’s not allowed. Addiction happens when the lesser of all evils becomes the most outlawed. And the most evil is the only thing at our disposal.

[@Beautybybllc]

so many ,I'd even say majority of, these tragic opioid stories start with an injury or illness and a script. you never mean for the sickness to take u where u end up.. I thank God for life every day now. 6 months IV fent/heroin free and my life is no where near where I want it or where it should be had I not destroyed everything good I had going for me, but I'm alive and there's still hope, I pray for the lost and their loved ones... this is killing ppl every 11 minutes. ask yourselves, if our government was willing to spend billions to prevent and protect against cold viruses, why are they not willing to do more to save our children and loved ones dying hundreds daily to fentanyl? something has to change. the addict has to want help, sure, but there need be more urgency and help available

[@kerrynight3271]

Please tell me you don't believe that covid is from the same virus as colds. A million Americans died from covid. Many more would have died without the vaccine. I wish you well and hope you are still clean.

[@michaelwells1783]

I’m a person that has been in the recovery process for 50+ years now and I can tell you that the country has been targeted for the destruction through addiction and every single person will be affected in some form by addiction. I can tell you the struggles of people and families For 50 years of this disease nonstop and All the people that will never get a chance to try again. I had Four Sisters ,one died a few years ago and 2 more are dying from addiction . This is a Life and a miserable death disease. And now they are calling this disease a disorder. Alcohol is a drug. Please Please Please Get Help For The Person And The Family Of People With Addiction. The Very Best Way To Help Addiction Is To Get Help For The Family As Soon as You Can. It’s Free And You May Save Your Life By Getting Help and You May Save Someone Else’s Life.

[@KelUK46]

I'm in the UK Michael and I have often thought that it was created by your government to cull the population. When I look at what is happening in Kensington Philly, that would never be allowed to happen here. Of course I know it's not just there and pretty much all through the south & mid-west but the scale of the addiction is unlike anything we have ever witnessed since the crack epidemic. Thanks big Pharma, this started with you.

[@heatheremshoff681]

alcohol is the worst...I started binge drinking after my mom died in March 2022 my dad was already passed since 2018 in march 2023 I was born again I call it that bc that's basically what it was I drank myself into a black out and ate 70 of my prescribed benzos laid on my couch fighting for air for 7 hours until my husband tried to wake me up for work and couldn't I had foam coming out of my mouth from all the fluid in my lungs if my respirations would've dropped any lower I would've been dead I was taken to the hospital in the town over and put on life support but had to be sent to a hospital in a bigger city for more critical care they prepared my family for the worst I was in a coma and on life support for 12 hours until I woke up to a tube sucking fluid out of my lungs and them telling me to cough I was then able to breathe again on my own it was like being born and taking my new first breath of air I fell back asleep I had a partially collapsed lung and minor brain damage from the diminished amount of oxygen for so long I'm not the same person I was I don't drink I no longer fk around and find out

[@michaelwells1783]

@@heatheremshoff681 I Love You Heather Sister You Chase The Lord As Hard As You Chased The Alcohol/Drugs You Will Be Fine. I Needed A Support Group Of Many Kinds And I Found One That Worked And I Stuck With It AA. It Cleared My Mind Long Enough To Start Working For God Instead of working against God/Jesus Christ/The Holy Spirit .

[@Lucian_Balthazar]

​@@heatheremshoff681 *Glad that you've now made yourself both mentally and physically strong not to fall into such trap or temptation ever again. We all do some stupid mistakes and decisions in life, some might just end up being deadly but all those who were able to get over with it, it's indeed like being born again, that you've earned yourself a hard azz lesson, you've made it to breathe another day, been given a second chance at life to reflect over all of your decisions and how all of it would impact your surroundings. So now just be that inspiration, that living proof of a lesson to educate others who've landed in the same spot as you, to make em realize that this ain't the way, that ain't the life and choices that they'd want to chose, just be there as a support and guide so that others wouldn't face the hell that you've once been into..*

[@chrisbutler6049]

How is rehab free????

[@stathieb7275]

Parents never be embarrassed about your child's addiction. When they start to use heroin or opiates it changes their brain chemistry. It takes a year for their brain to come back to normal. It's not your fault,it's the doctor that gave your child an opiates. Opiates should only be used for cancer or end of care treatment. We have to fund science so they can find new ways of fixing people that suffer from opiate addiction. So you keep pushing for better science,because methadone and Suboxone do not work for everybody. We have to push for better science & not use money to fund new rehab centers because it's not working. Suboxone doesn't work because basically it's giving an addict opiates in their brain,basically it's a synthetic opiates. Same with methadone. Better science,better science fight for that and tell your children's stories so you may save lives.

[@elsmeervd4893]

People are lost in this world !

[@TTOS69]

The real problem is there are DEA and so many other feds and agencies here in NC. And they choose to go after users, not distributors. Thats the problem people. And if you really wanna get to the deepest issue, its our border and the open policies allowing record numbers of opiods into the country. No telling what else is getting through... Like terrorists. Btw im a former opiate addict for 15 years. Very lucky to be here, and thats no thanks to ANYONE in governement or governmental services.

[@aprilleerose]

Narcan only lasts for a little while, then it stops. That’s why you REALLY SHOULD go to the hospital after taking narcan. I’m a RN and we use Narcan too on a regular basis here in Pittsburgh. It’s almost always in the heroin here.

[@robertperez-pi1xr]

Yes. My friend accidentally touched fentanyl and ems gave him narcan and left he died a like 2 hours later. I learned that day that is the case. So, yes people if your narcaned go to the hospital to follow up.

[@tiffanymontgomery5690]

I am a recovering addict I just celebrated 16 years of sobriety and one thing I’ve never called my addiction is a disease it’s a choice to use not something we have no control over we do have a choice to become that addict

[@Beautybybllc]

you have a choice to start the drug, the addict has no control over the effect the drug takes over their body and brain. that is the disease of it.

[@pattyk734]

I’m an alcoholic. When I had my first drink at age 29 out with a friend it was never my choice to become an alcoholic. Now after many years of sobriety if I picked up a drink then it becomes my choice.

[@dogsareme100]

I think in many cases particularly with prescription pain killers and to a lesser extent even alcohol yes it begins as a choice BUT if you get deep enough into it it can actually be fatal to try and stop without help. You can actually die from withdrawals, so in that sense one could argue that at that point it is no longer a choiceat least in the same sense it was. Some of them when they are adicted are not even using because they want to anymore they are literally doing it to keep from being sick. In that sense I believe it can be both. I mean think about it this way too many natural causes of death like heart conditions or cancer could be consider choices if we were being honest because in many cases ( especcially with younger adults I am talking even up into their sixties those conditions are likely in part due to choices they made whether it be smoking, drinking too much being inacttive not eating heathy ECT. I am by NO means saying that people with cancer deserve it I loss my father when he was 53 and we are currently losing his brother to cancer ( R is on hopstice ( he is 67) however if dad were still here and certainly with my uncle they could probably honestly say that their choices in particular their smoking and R's heavy drinking up into his late 30s or 40s almost certainly played at least SOME role in developing cancer so young ( dad was 48 and uncle R was probably in his early 50s when he was first told he had cancer People do not start things like that thinking I will get cancer oneday and people do not (usually start taking drugs thinking I will get addicted, so in that sense if we are being totally 100% honest many heart related and cancer deaths ( the two biggest killers of Americans really come down to choices as well they are just not as quick to happen and people do not like to think of natural cases of death as choices, but if we are being bruitely honest many of those deaths and other natural deaths at least in part can be tracted to choices.

[@davidgrahams6201]

Very good documentary

[@koisneurotypical]

Why this video on addiction, and great programs such as LEAD, when NC has cut treatment funding in half…. From 20 million to 10 million over the course of two years. 44:48 This makes no sense.

[@anglophils645]

The poor second mother. She should have gone to court to get guardianship over her daughter. Then, turning eighteen makes no difference, she is legally still a minor. Also, what was up with her health insurance? Health insurance pays for rehab. Neither mom nor dad had health insurance, I guess. Big mistake. If they had guardianship and health insurance, their daughter could have gone to a private rehab. She might still be alive today. I say "might", because rehab doesn't always work, as we all know.

[@JamieHowell-vz4wi]

This country needs to help addicts instead of whatever they are doing now

[@Blunt_Man]

What they're doing now is treating it as a legal problem, something that's been shown time and time again not to work. We've spent over a trillion dollars since the start and things are actually worse now than ever. We stop an estimated 10% of things at the border, that's nothing but breakage, same thing every large business accounts for and worst case scenario, just passes those costs along to the consumer. When looking at the numbers and what's happening on the streets, idk how anybody thinks that this is something we can fix with more/stricter laws, there's countries that use the death penalty and they still have addicts...

[@alexaf2744]

It’s weird that the USA doesn’t solve the problem by using the same methods other countries have solve the opioid problem. The USA behaves as if this has never happened before and this problem has never been solved before. It’s the absolute absolution to evade the guilt and shame for not doing anything about it. Switzerland solved the problem in the early 1990s!

[@georgeburdell517]

Nope... there's nothing sinister here because there's no help... no government can keep up with fentanyl... those that have gone there are long gone... it can't be fixed -- one must NEVER try the first time... in the future the drugs will get EVEN HARDER... no you gotta let them choose their own path and then go off the cliff -- they are the new zombies and you should BEWARE!

[@duallylicensed145]

People always ask why watch sad stuff … heres my answer : its to keep me from putting myself away from drugs …, for myself and to avoid placing that level of emotional pain on my family and friends who love me very much. I am 1 week in total recovery (groups , sessions , meetings, and medication) after 12 years!!!! Drugs dont find people. People find drugs. Its not to be cool ,,, its to self medicate. Medicate from depression/mental” help” (health) problems

[@boosqueezy2418]

addicts aren’t responsible for their disease, but they are responsible for their recovery. if you have this disease, it’s up to you to achieve recovery. that’s the part that people get confused.

[@georgeburdell517]

wrong... they ARE responsible... I don't want to pay for their recovery!

[@love.JESUS.2day]

Excellent!!! Thank you for being so realistic. From a mom who lost 2 😥 49:52

[@love.JESUS.2day]

Thea 23 and Sam 32

[@postscript5549]

Sad. I am sorry for the suffering and loss. I hope the parents receive the grace of God.

[@vandavis000]

We all can do this . I just had 2 yrs clean. Lifes great now. Sorry yall lost ppl you loved😢

[@megs3019]

That’s the thing people need to remember addiction doesn’t care who you are what color you are how much money you have it will latch onto to anyone that can and it ruins peoples lives. I’ve been clean thank God for almost 10 years never looked back, but not everyone is so luckyand I just wish more people knew addiction does not judge does not care it’s anyone physically can❤

[@heidiroy-boy]

Why cant big pharma pay for people's rehab ??

[@javiercarrasco8632]

I grew up watching my mother and stepdad use heroin at a very young age being in and out of foster care. Later on in life they got clean for quite a while but later my mother died from an overdose in 2008 from prescription pills. Now I am dealing the same with my girlfriend who has an addiction to blues and has already overdosed once.I constantly live with fear and anxiety my mental health is at its all time worse. I am so scared that I will lose her to this terrible addiction😢

[@Jake-n4m7i]

When quaaludes became a big problem with overdoses in the 70s they were banned and disappeared completely within a very short time period and haven't been seen since. Why can't the same thing be done with fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine? The reason is that the big pharma companies are making too much money selling opiates and addiction related drugs along with the amount of money being made selling street opiates. The government also wants to reduce the population and make money with their for profit prisons which are owned by govt. officials.

[@jillspence7227]

Artificial Intelligence and smart robots are here, and humans are going to be phased out of all jobs as the technology becomes better and better. Millions and millions will be out of work, and companies will completely resist paying a tax that helps support all these people, and govts will not be able to afford it either, so people who choose alcohol, drugs legal and illegal WILL be left to deal with it themselves, that is the future, there is little that can or will be done. I am so glad I am 72 and will not have to live in this future for long.

[@orwell9579]

Jordan Belfort still has them quaaludes😀

[@Jake-n4m7i]

@@orwell9579 I miss them.

[@Linda-qt8qk]

It’s very upsetting to me how people addicted to drugs resort to stealing because it puts a pinch on the price of things at store but it’s more upsetting to me that people are getting addicted to drugs because of the pain the they’re in and the fact that so many people are dying as a result. It’s painful as well that so many lives are lost. One life lost is too many but the number is so devastating. I wish people didn’t have the need to us drugs but the reality is that so many people are dying. God help my brothers and sisters in god . I hope that more lives can be saved. These human lives are so precious. Rip for all those lost souls who have lost the fight. You all mattered.

[@Lenergyiskey358]

The money they put into accomodating the person in prison could easily cover rehab instead. Compulsory rehab for a term of at least a year over 5 to 10 in prison. I know where I'd prefer my tax money to be spent.

[@annpieske1557]

I live in harnett county and I did opioids for about 15 years before doing fentanyl for the last 6 years now I am on Suboxone and haven't done any for a year sorry to everyone of these people who lost love ones my heart goes out to you😢

[@teresaburckhardt3441]

There is not an accidental over dose.. they knew what they were doing!! My son was the same way

[@catalyst4518]

When I was growing up, I used to think there was something wrong with me and that is why people stay away from me and that is why I am isolated all the time. I used to think I didn't have a lot of girlfriends and will have to kill myself because I could not bare to be a 40-year-old Virgin while my drug addicted, alcoholic brother has 10 girlfriends makes 6 figures etc. etc. I used to think that I will die alone with no wife or kid because I had "Issues" now that I am older, I have come to realize there is nothing wrong with me and there is ALOT MORE WRONG with the world than with me. “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” -John 15:18-19 SOBER 18,292 days and counting.......

[@olives2426]

my brother died of a accidental overdose. fentanyl was found in his system but, no heroine💔

[@Jan-vw6tu]

I remember scary treatments in hospitals without having a drug problem and being mistreated and when I think back to the days before things were a little different for people with addictions let alone any other kind of medical problem to be mistreated for and I think about these people who are gone now and kids who are gone and never got a chance to get well that is the ultimate heartbreak

[@lorenzodossantos1111]

Doctors should treat addiction with the proper drugs, anything less is pointless. Real doctors, real drugs, no illegal profits. Everything else has failed.

[@jasonrichard7560]

Meth addiction is just as bad or worse, have lost 4 close friends that were using both meth and fentanyl/heroin

[@johnobrien3816]

That's what the evil in government want heymosabby

[@Bluebird1plus1]

That's kinda mean, being addicted is like being possesses by a demon. Moms of the children addicted to video games isn't going to like that. And what about those addicted to food, people are addicted to a lot of things, so we have become a world of demons.????

[@acooksla]

Syringe exchange programs are amazing, I witnessed it in NYC. Thank you 😊

[@cherylellison]

I heard that "Philadelphia"(Needle Park) was the drug Capital? This is very discouraging.

[@jamesr.vanpattenjr.8963]

This was humbling

[@TwoCoffinsForSleep]

How about we start seeing ourselves and each other for what we are: flawed, fallible, and deserving and capable of both grace and love.

[@georgeburdell517]

Clearly you have not known an addict -- they are demonic -- it's not fixable.

[@pablorodriguez4389]

1k a year? It’s way more than that

[@rainforme1850]

And I remember when they said they’ll come a time where every family will be impacted somehow by drug abuse, and will have in their family an addict. I did not believe this. It turned out to be true because my nephew is a drug addict. He’s almost 40 and he’s been addicted

[@shouldawouldacoulda]

We have done this Scotland for well over 10-15 years. We're lucky as we have the NHS Free health care but we lack on the mental health side,big time! I'm stable on methodone and other meds for my mental health,and i always have naloxone in my house,always.

[@JstcountryGirl]

We can’t fund treatment for our own but we sure can fund Ukraine. Shameful

[@enzozorn7580]

No parents should bury theire own kids , i would die emedialy with my son or daughter without questions 😢

[@Moe-m2f]

Sounds like the ports in Wilmington may be a starting point to start looking to slow the flow

[@donnatpuckett123]

Could it b they’re in so much pain they couldn’t take it anymore not bcc of addiction!!! And turned to Heron. Come on some of these stories I blame the government for getting involved in doctor and patient care. As long as they are not doing pill mill and have documentation the show reasonable evidence dang!! The first story on the young lady sure try everything possible.

[@WoodstockG54]

“Searching for a fix?” Try magic mushrooms and kick your habit.

[@megs3019]

Also, don’t be fooled if somebody says they love you they would never introduce you to drugs ever that is not love. Remember that. Also, this is the biggest problem in America. There’s no open beds or places for addicts to go to get help not everyone has the means or the support system to help them themselves. I was lucky my sister was a nurse and my mom and her helped me withdrawal and got clean and got it on a plan not everyone is blessed like that. We have to make better choices and we have to help the less fortunate especially the people that are begging for help. We can’t say no to them.

[@brannonmcclure6970]

Also remember; heroin was a prescribed drug in the beginning; it didn’t come out illicitly. Prescription heroin is effective because now obtaining prescription heroin; when the patient reaches a point where using isn’t working anymore; and say, “I want to quit.” I speak with experience.👨‍🎓♾️🙏

[@terriekurney6548]

Trosco in Durham NC is the place to get free help. Jesus my oldest son recovered there and it's more than recovery