Category: Addiction/Substance Misuse

Suicide and the opiate crisis. Why aren’t we talking about it?

One thing I hear little of in mainstream media is how many suicides this opiate crisis has triggered. Many of the people suffering substance abuse disorder (addiction) also suffer a mental illness such as anxiety, bipolar or depression.

Throw drug abuse in there with a mental illness, and chances of suicide increase dramatically.

We hear a lot in the media about overdoses and we should be. We have a record breaking epidemic of them.

But what about the suicides triggered by drug addiction or withdrawal?How many of those overdoses are really suicides? How many take their lives in some other way as a … Read more...

What things in your home have abuse potential?

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So many things that you have in your house have abuse potential.

If you live with pre-teens, teens, a drug abuser or an addict, it’s best to know what items in your home have abuse potential. These are just a few that we had experience with.

Kids will “skim” medicines. That means they’ll take one or two pills out of your prescriptions so you don’t notice. Or they will claim their own stimulant medicine “ran out” when in fact they sold it. Many kids taking stimulants don’t seem to be interested in abusing that one in particular. I know Charles did not because … Read more...

Would you ask someone with a heart condition to pray their way out of it?

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You wouldn’t ask a diabetic to pray for more insulin, so why would you ask someone with a chemical imbalance in their brain to deny themselves the medication or treatment they need? Why make someone feel guilty for taking medication that literally keeps them alive and functioning?

The brain, like the heart, is a major organ that sometimes needs medical intervention. Mental illness, addiction and suicide are not moral failings. They are illnesses or the result of one.

Oftentimes, those who suffer depression or some other mental illness are encouraged to pray their way out of it. Still others imply that this was God’s way … Read more...

Heroin writes me a letter back

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Dear Anne Moss,

I got your letter. You said you f-ing hated me but I could care less.

I am heroin, the most powerful drug in the world.

I am so entrenched in your culture, it will take decades to undo the damage. Your son was just another casualty. I don’t even remember him. How could I? I’ve killed millions, ruined millions of lives and torn apart families.

I have more control over your loved ones than you ever had. You have no control over me and it’s so pathetic to watch you try.

What’s more, I keep changing in both form and … Read more...

Overdose Awareness Day heart – #griefheart number 133

Overdose awareness day heart
Overdose awareness day heart

From top right and around: Chaney Corley, died by suicide from overdose; Joshua Hasnas, overdose (possible suicide), Billy Derr, overdose; John Henry Watkins, overdose; Marshall Colglazier, overdose; Dawson Pettit, overdose; Josh Kaski, overdose. Center: My first cousin’s second-born, Reece Haigh, overdose.

This is what drug overdose looks like. And it’s often not what people expect. Drug addiction cuts across all racial lines and socioeconomic groups as does mental illness. I know all these parents. There are countless others I don’t know but my heart goes out to all of you.

Today’s #griefheart is in memory and … Read more...

Facebook LIVE: What can we do to stop the faucet of prescription meds?

How can you prevent your child or loved one from becoming addicted?

Please, please share this blog post.

Left: Anne Moss Rogers, annemoss.com, Right: Chris Baker, addict in recovery. Facebook LIVE: What can we do to stop the faucet of prescription meds in our communities?  Watch it on Facebook.

6/24/2019 update- Since this aired, research on MAT, Medication Assisted Treatment, has changed and an important aspect of keeping someone alive and able to live life until they are mature enough for long term recovery. Recovery doesn’t look the same nor do all who go through recovery do it the … Read more...

I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this any more

I love this scene. One of my favorites of all time from the memorable 70’s movie, Network. I have not seen a movie this good in years. It illustrates how frustrated I feel about the loss of so many lives of young people especially in the last few years

How many thousands more kids do we have to lose to overdose and suicide before we make genuine change? Before we talk more openly? Before we demand more affordable treatment options for people with mental illness? Before we declare addiction as a disorder and not a moral failing?

How do … Read more...

Dear high and mighty parent

How did you get such perfect kids? No wonder you are bursting with pride. You raised your children right!

Clearly those of us who are struggling with our children are at a loss for what to do. We didn’t spank them enough, hire enough tutors, take away enough or show them who is boss.

If only we had listened to you, we, too would have straight A students, doctors and soccer champions. Oh wait. No we wouldn’t because your precious children are a direct reflection of you! Great genes and great parenting. You have the recipe for success!

Our only regret? We missed out on

… Read more...

Facebook LIVE Promo: Stopping the faucet of prescription medications

This is the actual video here

What can we do to prevent new addictions? A lot more than we are doing.

According to the CDC, “Opioid prescribing continues to fuel the epidemic. Today, at least half of all U.S. opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid. In 2014, more than 14,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opioids.”

Those numbers do not even include benzodiazepines and other drugs.

So who is responsible? Pharmaceutical companies, parents, patients, doctors, nurses, oral surgeons, drug dealers, judicial system, politicians and even dentists. And more.

We all like to blame the evil drug dealers. … Read more...

Facebook LIVE- Let’s Talk about it #2

Date: Sunday, August 14
Time: 6:30-7pm
Where: My facebook page

Schedule of Events is here

Topic: De-stigmatizing Antidepressants–Once Again

In looking over the comments from the last Facebook LIVE, I saw that there was a lot of misunderstanding as it relates to antidepressants and other mental health medications. Given that the suicide rates have dramatically increased, I thought we’d tackle the topic. This will not be a discussion on specific antidepressants but more about the stigma related to using them. We will leave that to the psychiatrists.

“The last time we were able to successfully decrease suicides in this country … Read more...

How did we discover Charles was addicted to heroin?

You’d think after 4.5 years in a family drug support group I’d have zoned right in on the fact that Charles was addicted to heroin.

So if we didn’t figure it out, how did we find out?

Charles stole silver, the sterling I inherited from my family. And he stole Randy’s silver coins from his grandfather which were in the same box.

Addicts steal to support their habit. And it’s not uncommon for an addict to steal from his/her family.

I remember so vividly the day we found out about the missing silver. And no it was not thanksgiving. It was in … Read more...

Let’s talk about it: Life after loss of a loved one by suicide or overdose

I have been thinking about doing a Facebook Live event, say 30 minutes on the subject of life after the loss of a loved one who died from a stigmatized illness, specifically addiction or mental illness.

Talking points below. This is my first LIVE event and this is not a presentation, it’s an event where I want to hear from you. How it works is below. I will be limiting this to 30 minutes.

What else are you going to do in one hundred degree weather? (That’s for those on the east coast)

When?

Sunday, July 24 at 6:30pm EST… Read more...

How much does mental health and addiction cost families?

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Mental health costs our country over 314 billion dollars per year.

Overall, it cost us $275,000+ trying to help our son, Charles.

None of the organizations communicated with each other and the mayhem of mental health and addiction services is overwhelming and disjointed at best.

And scandalously expensive.

I’ve tried to outline some of the monetary costs and would love input from others struggling with these issues, too so that we can have a place that puts all these crazy costs in black and white for others to see.

The staggering costs

Doctors visits, psychiatrist visits, medication, therapist visits, out of network visits, … Read more...

Ask your oral surgeon to stop prescribing oxycodone for teen wisdom teeth removal

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And parents please stop asking for it.

Seven percent of patients prescribed narcotic or opioid analgesics will become addicted.* Some statistics put it as high as 10%. Still others will abuse it or sell it. Do you want that to be your kid?

If you’ve never had an opiate, percocet, oxycodone or vicodin, you shouldn’t risk it either.

One pill can trigger an addiction

You may not be someone prone to addiction. You may have thrown up or gotten sick or had some other bad experience.

For those with a predisposition for addiction, the result can be quite different and often has the effect … Read more...

Addiction: 5 things you need to know

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Those of you who have suffered through the addiction of a loved one know how exhausting it is. The fact that they are such amazing manipulators blurs all the lines whips your emotions from one end to another.

But if you’ve set boundaries to protect yourself from the mayhem also knows as addiction, you need to keep these things in mind:

1. It’s really very hard to go from “tough love” to “rescue mode.”

They are polar opposites in terms of emotions. But often that’s what we have to do to save a loved one. Knowing that might be how it will happen, can help … Read more...