In 2018, over 46,802 people died from drug overdoses related to opioids, according to the Center for Disease Control. Numbers don't tell the whole story! Opioids have consequences that go much deeper than deaths and overdoses. Addiction to opioids creates instability.

Imagine how a young mother struggles to keep her family together and her children emotionally balanced while struggling with the addiction of her husband, and the children are unable to understand the inconsistencies in their father's behavior. As a result, they believe that they did something wrong. They so desperately want normalcy in their lives.

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Think of a brother, sister, father, or mother who would do anything to ensure that their loved one lived a healthy and productive life. Patients seeking new painkiller prescriptions fill up hospital emergency rooms daily. Any time you have spent time in a hospital, you have probably seen the sign on the wall which asks the patient how much pain they are experiencing and listened as the patient only described severe pain. A prescription is given to the patient after the visit, and they are instructed to follow up with their primary care physician.

Addiction to opioids is pervasive and its effects devastating not only for the addict but also for society as a whole. It is important to know the signs. It may be difficult to understand exactly what opioid addiction is unless you've dealt with it before. How do you recognize it? Is there anyone I can turn to for help?”