Hooked: A teacher's addiction and the new face of heroin

[jimnyc]

This is another story that shows why I would never in a million years want to see this stuff legalized in any manner. It destroys lives and families, and then it will kill you. :(

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For years, Michelle lived a double life in picturesque Putnam County, N.Y. A teacher and mother, she was also a heroin addict willing to risk everything for the drug.

“I’m a great mom,” Michelle told NBC News. “I’m a teacher. I’m a daughter, a niece. I’m all of these great things and then I am a heroin addict showing up at a Fourth of July party with track marks.”

Say the words “heroin addict” and many Americans will conjure up images of a junkie living under an overpass in the poorest part of town.

But addiction doesn’t discriminate. And in recent years heroin has wound its way into American communities and touched people who wouldn’t have considered using it just a decade ago—people like Michelle, a former teacher who almost lost everything to her addiction.

Michelle, who asked that only her first name be used, was one of the many ensnared by a drug that is so incredibly addictive that it can take just one or two times to get hooked.

She would even show up to teach high on heroin and, worse yet, would shoot up in the teacher’s bathroom at her school.

“I was so irrational that I didn’t think twice if a teacher would walk in,” Michelle said. “That was how irrational my thinking was.”

When she was younger, Michelle had turned to alcohol to banish her shyness and ease her psychic pain.

By the time she was in her 20s, Michelle had been introduced to OxyContin, which made her feel even better. “I never felt comfortable in my skin,” she said. “And it took that away.”

At $50 per pill OxyContin soon became too expensive for the teacher. But then a new boyfriend introduced her to heroin and she was soon hooked.

“I took my first bump from heroin and I threw up, but still loved the way I felt – numb, energized,” Michelle said. “The physical part happens very, very quickly. It’s not like cocaine or any other drug. It’s quick. So, once it comes on it becomes a job to make sure that you have enough to get you through the day.”

http://www.today.com/health/hooked-teacher-s-addiction-new-face-heroin-t74881

[pete311]

Decriminalize and then shift money to health services. She needs serious treatment, not jail.

Was just reading that many of the increased deaths over the past few weeks is because batches are being cut with elephant tranquilizers.

[jimnyc]

Decriminalize and then shift money to health services. She needs serious treatment, not jail.

Was just reading that many of the increased deaths over the past few weeks is because batches are being cut with elephant tranquilizers.

It's been proven time and time again that these folks often go right back to the addiction when treatment is over. Hell, many go right back to it after long prison sentences. The goal should be to do everything to get rid of this stuff, and also use every deterrent.

YES, she needs treatment, and I hope she gets it. The country is sorely lacking in places for folks like her to get that treatment. I'm all for financing such places and getting tons more out there, so I'm not against helping, but we can't just dismiss laws and exacerbate the problem in addition. You'll just form a circle of junkies going in and out.

[pete311]

It's been proven time and time again that these folks often go right back to the addiction when treatment is over. Hell, many go right back to it after long prison sentences. The goal should be to do everything to get rid of this stuff, and also use every deterrent.

YES, she needs treatment, and I hope she gets it. The country is sorely lacking in places for folks like her to get that treatment. I'm all for financing such places and getting tons more out there, so I'm not against helping, but we can't just dismiss laws and exacerbate the problem in addition. You'll just form a circle of junkies going in and out.

Current treatment methods absolutely agree. The system sets them up to fail and profit from them.

[Perianne]

5,000th post.

As a health care worker who has cared for countless of these addicts, I still (and everyone I know who has worked with them) say personal responsibility. You made the mess, now lie in it.

No free healthcare for junkies.

This is nature's way of weeding out the weak, but we all-knowing humans fight nature.

[jimnyc]

5,000th post.

As a health care worker who has cared for countless of these addicts, I still (and everyone I know who has worked with them) say personal responsibility. You made the mess, now lie in it.

No free healthcare for junkies.

This is nature's way of weeding out the weak, but we all-knowing humans fight nature.

Happy 5k and thanks for those posts contributing to our community!! :salute:

While I agree they made their own beds, I'm not against helping them. BUT, I don't think undoing laws and allowing easier access will do anyone any favors. Might as well make hamburgers with cyanide in them and place them at Shop Rite. Folks don't HAVE TO buy them and kill themselves, but hell, lets at least put the option out there. :rolleyes:

[pete311]

As a health care worker who has cared for countless of these addicts, I still (and everyone I know who has worked with them) say personal responsibility. You made the mess, now lie in it.


Until it has a serious impact on the rest of the society, which is what is happening. Some health care worker.... Now lie it.... Is that what you told them when you "cared" for them? Addiction is a disease. What happens when they become addicted because their doctor was irresponsible and gave them opioid pain killers and they got hooked. What then? You are thinking too rigid and shallow. Life is neither.

[Perianne]

Until it has a serious impact on the rest of the society, which is what is happening. Some health care worker.... Now lie it.... Is that what you told them when you "cared" for them? Addiction is a disease. What happens when they become addicted because their doctor was irresponsible and gave them opioid pain killers and they got hooked. What then? You are thinking too rigid and shallow. Life is neither.

From the first day on this forum I have preached personal responsibility. Imagine a world where everyone practiced it. What a wonderful world it might be.

[pete311]

From the first day on this forum I have preached personal responsibility. Imagine a world where everyone practiced it. What a wonderful world it might be.

Great idealism, now come back to reality and deal with our societal problems.

[Elessar]

Peri is right, and I would think her experience should be considered valid.

Everyone has different body chemistry where substances affect everyone differently,
but heroin is one that cuts no corners.

I had a good friend in college who was an All-American Wrestler. Too keep his
weight down he started shooting up. It wrecked him. He could have competed in
the Olympics, he was that good. Only man I ever met that could put me on the
mat with legs only. Took him two years to kick it, but he was never the same.

Legalize it my ass!

[Perianne]

Great idealism, now come back to reality and deal with our societal problems.

I was dealing with it. Make your bed and lie in it. Simple.

[Elessar]

Great idealism, now come back to reality and deal with our societal problems.

Peri is an ER Nurse. She deals with injuries, overdoses, cardiac cases, and more each shift.
Nothing you have any knowledge about being a spoiled rich boy.

What do you do? Sail around the world fixing societal problems?

Idealism? You are barking up the wrong tree with this lady.

[pete311]

I was dealing with it. Make your bed and lie in it. Simple.

You call that care giving? What about my example where people get hooked on Opioid pain killers? #1 gateway for new heroin users. Break your knee and become a herion addict.

[pete311]

Peri is an ER Nurse. She deals with injuries, overdoses, cardiac cases, and more each shift.
Nothing you have any knowledge about being a spoiled rich boy.

What do you do? Sail around the world fixing societal problems?

Idealism? You are barking up the wrong tree with this lady.

I have a close family member seriously addicted to Heroin via needle. We wait for the call. So yeah, I'm kinda in the know.

It is idealism to yell from a balcony on the lawless streets for people to be good and think that does anything. Telling people to be good is not a solution. All it means is your have a serious lack of ideas and creativity.

[Drummond]

I was dealing with it. Make your bed and lie in it. Simple.

Exactly.

The Left are all about making sure Socialism introduces, then keeps in place, a dependency culture. Why ? Because those who the 'dependents' rely on for aid, help, whatever ... become dependent on those having the power to supply it.

Anyone wanting that to continue has to continue to vote for those most willing to keep the status quo in place. Socialists rely on that for a large part of their power-base.

Never mind enterprise, striving for betterment, creating things and opportunities from your own efforts. No - everything must be given, you must rely on the 'givers' to see your way through life.

People who truly get through life well, are those who make their own path. Difficulties come their way .. they overcome them through strength, effort, resolve. NOBODY has a dependency stranglehold on them !

So it is with certain medical conditions. Sure, you seek medical help and advice, BUT, you do for yourself what you must. A heroin addiction involves taking responsibility for it, facing it, resolving to DEAL with it by, not least, personal resolve to kick the habit.

Tough it may be, but that's the only true road to success. And the experience should be a life-lesson in self-reliance, proving that the only real, worthwhile futures people have come from the taking of personal responsibility.

[pete311]

So it is with certain medical conditions. Sure, you seek medical help and advice, BUT, you do for yourself what you must. A heroin addiction involves taking responsibility for it, facing it, resolving to DEAL with it by, not least, personal resolve to kick the habit.

Tough it may be, but that's the only true road to success. And the experience should be a life-lesson in self-reliance, proving that the only real, worthwhile futures people have come from the taking of personal responsibility.

Kick the habit? Heroin addiction is not a simple habit to kick. It's a disease. You guys talk so big. Like you have any idea what it's like being a foot in grave addicted to heroin. Yes of course it takes resolve from the user, but they also require adequate support systems around them. Very few do, which is why very few stay clean. Shut your doors to them and all you'll find is death. Give them support and they have a chance. That is proven. If we look through our past we've all done things that if something had changed or slipped just a little, like our judgement then we could have made a bad mistake. I can think of plenty myself. I am just lucky. Some are not. No one deserves to die for a mistake.

[pete311]

The war on drugs is a war on people
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/22/opinions/war-on-drugs-michael-k-williams/index.html

My local conservative talk radio station just a did a 2 hour special on the heroin crisis in our city. Said most are now turning to heroin after getting hooked from painkiller prescriptions.

[Said1]

I work at a community health centre with several different addictions programs, and I,d say the majority of the 'pill' people started with legit prescriptions. Doctors have to take some responsibility for what they're giving people, too. I know I didn't need 20 Percocets after getting a tooth pulled, but those things are awesome so I gladly filled it. :thumb: