Opiates have become epidemic everywhere and our suburb is no exception; approx. 400 overdoses every year, 13 or more deaths since January 2010 right here in SCV. It’s important to know what opiates are, how they work and what to do if you suspect a family member of using them or if you yourself need help.
All opiates are severely addicting, both physically and psychologically. The story I hear as a counselor is almost always the same: A little pot in high school and by end of freshman year they are smoking regularly. Pot these days is unbelievably potent and is in many ways a distant cousin to the opiate high. By sophomore year they’ve tried a few Norcos, Vicodin or other prescription pain medication. By Junior year these are gobbled in small handfuls and used more regularly and by Senior year they get turned on to Oxycontin, a powerful synthetic opiate. The high is great but Oxy’s are expensive so soon they smoke a little heroin. Heroin is cheaper and soon they’re smoking regularly and severely addicted. By the time they realize there’s a problem it’s too late. These drugs are everywhere. Our laws do not protect us. Thirty percent of prescription meds are on the streets. Drug companies resemble legalized dope cartels, killing our children. Doctors prescribe these meds without warnings or advice.
Lookout for your kids and adult children who are heavy pot smokers and have their marijuana medical cards; this is often the precursor to opiate use. If you suspect something, you can try to confront them in a caring way. Most common indications are almost anything out of the ordinary: A social kid becomes introverted; an introverted kid acts chatty and social. Are they spending money they don’t have, staying very busy without a job? Most readers know how I feel about drug treatment centers (rehab doesn’t work) and most youth don’t respond to AA anymore. Most addicts want help and a program that will be supportive, while living at home and break their addiction without treating them like punks or kids. You should always begin with a phone call for an evaluation (don’t listen to fear mongering). Make sure the program they attempt is one they feel they will respond to and not the same old thing. Be sure to attend the Heroin Kills event on August 29 for more information and to ask questions in person.
Scott Spackey is a Family Counselor, California Registered Addiction Specialist, Interventionist, Life-Coach and Clinical Hypnotherapist. For more information, please call 661-299-1966 or email: Scott@Life-Mind.com.