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When others think about opioid addiction, it is often linked to drug addicts, creating an unrealistic belief that it doesn’t affect our lives.
However, the once overlooked problem quickly becomes a concern when one realizes how common opioid addiction is.
I’ll never forget the first time I realized something was wrong with my close friend. Once he was full of life, joking at any moment that he could, and we were bonding about our future plans… But slowly, that version of him that I once loved, disappeared.
His laughter turned into silence, his eyes looked empty, and he always appeared exhausted, like the world was crushing him. At first, I was lost and confused. However, after time passed, the words I never thought would be connected to him was the reason: opioid abuse.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) highlights how opioid use can affect the brain, altering decision-making, self-control, stress levels, and behavior.
Watching my friend affected by this addiction was like watching someone drown.
Hearing about his reliance on these addictive opioids as a way “to take the edge off,” was the worst part.
Addiction impacts friends and families and communities. We must solve this problem.
When classmates normalize vaping or using harmful substances because “it helps them relax,” we have to prevent them from the dangerous path they can follow.
It’s scary, as I saw firsthand what happens when opioids are used as a way to escape stress. It becomes an inescapable part of yourself.
By understanding the dangers of opioid abuse and the growing crisis of these life-threatening substances, we can break the cycle. Talk to your friends, ask questions if you notice unusual behaviors and reach out for help.
Together, we can heal and embrace hope.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
