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By Siya Chhibber
A person’s belief system – an interconnected set of principles, tenets, or core values an individual uses to interpret reality, guide behavior, and define their worldviews – affects that person in many ways. For some, it can bring hope; for others, it can be a lifeline. However, sometimes it can cross a line where it’s more harmful than helpful.
A well-known example comes from one of the greatest minds of our time: Steve Jobs. Jobs believed in CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine). Some practices of this lifestyle include yoga, herbs, diet changes, and acupuncture.
Some people, like Jobs, prefer traditional medicine to western medicine, believing that since it’s “traditional”, it can do no harm. While this can be true, in some cases it’s not.
Jobs had pancreatic cancer. He went on diet changes and had acupuncture, neither of which are harmful. However, by delaying well studied and effective treatment, his cancer spread and surgery couldn’t help anymore.
One impactful example is of the Purple One, the Symbol — the one and only Prince.
Prince Rogers Nelson, an icon of the 80s music world, is most well known for his songs “Purple Rain”, “Little Red Corvette”, and “Raspberry Beret”. He was recently brought back into the limelight after his songs were featured in the finale of the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things.” This resurgence is a reminder of his boundary-breaking musical virtuoso, but also his sudden and tragic death 10 years ago.
It all started when during a live performance of “Purple Rain”; Prince jumped off of risers while wearing heels and hurt himself badly, especially his hips. Doctors recommended that he get hip surgery, but he refused. The hip surgery included a blood transfusion, which Prince wouldn’t accept because of his belief as a Jehovah’s Witness, a sect of Christianity that Prince joined in 2001.
While this belief brought some positivity to his life — he didn’t allow himself or anyone around him to swear, drink, or take recreational drugs — it was the reason he wouldn’t get a blood transfusion. To numb the pain, he took opioids, specifically Percocet.
Percocet is an opioid. This means that, over time, a person’s body builds tolerance to it, and it would no longer work as effectively as it once may have. A stronger pain killer is needed. Prince ended up unknowingly consuming Vicodin pills. They were laced with fentanyl, causing his overdose, which an avoidable accident had Prince been able to have his surgery.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2023, nearly 8.6 million Americans 12 years and older reported misusing prescription opioids in the past year. Unfortunately, opioids are among the most effective pain killers in the world for many types of severe pain. While they can aid in many cases, it’s important to remember that, when possible, curing the cause of the pain is infinitely better than suppressing it.
In a world where most of what we do is dictated by what we believe is right and wrong, sometimes it’s important to step back and see if our beliefs are helping us, or harming us.
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 and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
New retail, dining options coming to Stoneridge Shopping Center later this yearApril 19, 2026 9:24 pm
