Last week, I wrote a blog post about fentanyl and the doctor who introduced me to it. I received some interesting responses to that post. Most of you were understanding of my story and angry at this doctor on my behalf. Some of you shared similar stories with me. And some readers unfriended me and blocked me.
The ones who didn’t unfriend me but didn’t like the post told me their reasons. Here they are, with my responses:
People don’t want to hear about drug abuse. I know. It’s a dark, painful subject. But I’m a recovering addict who spent ten years addicted to drugs. Not writing about that would be denying one of the main parts of my life. It would also render those years a complete waste. I promised God back then that if He showed me the way back to life, I’d tell my story. Again and again. I have made it one of my life missions to make my mess my message.
I like it better when you write about happy things. So do I. I prefer to write about happy things. In my last blog post, I wrote about the fun of life, and I meant it. Life should be fun—and that’s my focus these days. But when my past rears its ugly head, as it did last week, I will write about it.
Surely doctors don’t really do this. This is the one that left me a bit incredulous, though if you’re healthy and have limited experience with doctors, I can see why you’d think that. But doctors absolutely do do this. The worst one I had was the first one because that doctor introduced me to fentanyl. But I’ve met countless doctors along the way who haven’t listened to me, who’ve given me medication I didn’t want, and who’ve fired me as a patient when I asked questions. And I know from some of the stories that were shared with me after I wrote that blog post that many of you have had the same experience. Doctors do this. And they will do it to you if you’re not vigilant about the medications you take.
Every time I sit down to write, I ask myself what my mission is in writing. When I write light-hearted, fun posts, my mission is to give you a short vacation from the seriousness of life. When I wrote the blog post about the doctor who prescribed fentanyl to me, my mission was clear to me. But I failed in making it clear to you, my readers. This is my chance to fix that failure.
My mission is to make it impossible for you to plead ignorance about the danger of prescription drugs. Once you’ve read my words, I want you to know better and do better—to make the educated choice that I couldn’t or didn’t make. I want to sound an alarm bell so loud that you hear echoes of it while you’re in the waiting room at your next doctor’s appointment.
I want you to know that if a doctor hands you a prescription slip, you owe it to yourself to spend some time researching the drug before you decide to take it. Read about the side effects and the potential for addiction. Pay special attention to words like “off-label.” If a doctor suggests an “off-label” use of medication to you, it means that that particular medication has shown promise in an area of treatment, but it has not been approved for that treatment by the FDA. Research is in its early stages, and you will be a part of that research.
I want you to know that if your son or daughter is prescribed painkillers because of a sports injury, they may need them for a very short time. But if you’re not vigilant in dispensing those painkillers, that addiction switch can get flipped in your kid’s brain—and before you know it, your kid won’t be content to take painkillers. They’ll want something stronger. This is the driving force behind countless cases of heroin addiction.
To those of you who are in active addiction right now, I want you to know that I have such compassion for you. I know the misery and darkness and hopelessness you’re feeling. I also know that you’re trying to convince yourself and everyone around you that you need opioids or experimental drugs to manage your pain. If you have migraines or some other chronic pain condition, there are other ways to cope with the pain than by taking dangerous drugs. If everything in you rises up, ready to argue with me as you read these words, you probably have an addiction problem. If you spend most of your days thinking about when and how to get your drugs, you have an addiction problem. If you’re willing to hurt your loved ones because of your need to be numb and isolated, you have an addiction problem. If the only time you leave the house is to get to your doctor and then to the pharmacy, (unless you’re dealing with a life-threatening disease) you probably have an addiction problem. Please hear me when I say this: addiction will kill you one way or another—drugs can be as deadly and powerful and fast and final as gunshots. There are very few elderly addicts.
Finally, I want you to know this: there’s hope. Whether you have a loved one who’s struggling with addiction or you’re the addict who feels trapped and wants a way out—there’s hope because recovery is possible.
Those were my reasons for writing the initial post. I’m sorry that I didn’t communicate them well. I believe I have now. I have done what I promised God I would do—I have written these words. Now you have read them and can no longer say, “I didn’t know.”
Resources
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
This page is an excellent starting point for finding resources to help yourself or to learn about addiction. You can either explore the links on the page or make a free call to their hotline at 1-800-662-HELP.
https://www.addictioncenter.com/community-resources/
This page will educate you on various aspects of addiction and will also provide you with local resources, wherever you are. They have a free, 24/7 phone number you can call to reach out for help: (844) 359-6931.
https://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/addiction-recovery-links.htm
This site gives information on 12-step programs and how to find one in your area. It also gives links to online support groups—you can get help without even leaving your house.
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Comments 22
Renee I pray you keep writing and telling it like it is! I feel God is using you in an amazing way to show his love and transformation when we surrender to him. Your decision and ability to be transparent in your writing is not an easy thing. I cry and I laugh at your posts but you always point to Jesus and the hope we have in him. Addiction is real. Keep writing about the real issues that we all face in this world that is only are temporary home.
Love to you, Monty and your fur babies!
Barb–your words are such encouragement to me. You see my heart and my mission and spelled it out so clearly. I do want so badly to point people to Jesus and remind them that there’s always, always hope. Thank you for seeing that and letting me know that you do. I will treasure your words. Love to you and Mr. Scott. (I tried to call him Wayne, but I just can’t–he’ll always be Mr. Scott to me. 😊)
😂I will tell Mr Scott!❤️
Thank you! ❤
Love your posts!
Thank you so much, Cindy! That makes me happy.
Agreed, Monty!
Here, here, to you, Renee! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Such a courageous post and I appreciate you shedding light on one of the many issues we face today.
-Jenny ❤️
Thank you, Jenny. I’m working hard on shedding that light! Thank you for being an inspiration to me.
Hi Renee!
I love your posts, but can’t find the one you are referring to here. There are so many things to get addicted to, aren’t there? And, truly, we need to be vigilant about what we put in our bodies. My husband has a health condition brought on by too many antibiotics. We treated it for 20 years with a very expensive prescription medicine that made his hair start to fall out. Once he was diagnosed as pre-diabetic, and told he had a choice- change his diet or take insulin in the near future, we had a huge eye opener. His diet change precipitated the healing of his colon. No expensive medicine necessary. Too late for the hair. It’s gone already.
One other thing I have noticed. Prescription medicines can’t make everything perfect. Life is messy. The Giver of life is the ultimate Doctor, and sometimes nothing else will do. God bless you! Thank you for your posts.
Sandra–the original post is here: https://poeticblessings.com/2019/01/doctor-feelgood/ Oh, yes, we have to be so vigilant about what we put in our bodies. Even something so supposedly benign as antibiotics can be harmful, as your story about your husband illustrates. I’m so glad he’s found healing. And you are so, so right about medications not making everything perfect. There’s definitely a place for them–and often, they’re medically necessary–but they have their limits. Thank you for your insight and for taking the time to read my words.
It is hard to tell people things they don’t want to hear; often I think about the prophets in this respect. They spent their lives telling the things people didn’t want to hear, and sometimes died because of their messages. As a Biblical counselor, I have had to tell people hard things. The point is, there is no help but in the truth; the Lord is the Truth, and we must stand with Him, and learn to leave the outcome with Him. Thank you, Renee, for your courage, your love, and the light you shine. Thank you for always reminding your readers that there is hope. Keep on keeping on!
Heather–I never thought about the prophets in this context. Interesting. You’re right–it’s hard to say truths that people don’t want to hear. Leaving the outcome with God, as you said, is so hard! But I’m working on it. Thank you for your encouragement and very kind words. I will keep on!
Loved your post as always, Renee! I hope, with the help of people like you, that addiction (especially to prescription medications) becomes more understood and not ignored.
Monty–thank you so much. I hope so, too. Thank you for encouraging me to write the words God gives me.
Renee, I enjoy your writing. Both good and ugly! It’s an amazing gift that you have in your ability to write, and unselfish in your willingness to share it with others. Writing is therapeutic in so many ways!
Becky–thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so glad you enjoy my writing. I agree–writing is incredibly therapeutic. Thank you for reading my writing and taking the time to comment. I so appreciate it.
Great stuff. Sometimes you have to be real. Sometimes real isn’t fun. It’s life. Recovering alcoholic here and mother of a heroin addict. Keep talking.
Bobbie–Thank you so much. No, sometimes real life just isn’t fun to write about. But it’s necessary. Thank you for seeing that. I will never stop talking about it–thank you so very much for the encouragement. Praying for for your son.
Good mlrn8ng Sparrow. . Well, Excellent title, to a very important subject. Ther3 is a saying, everyone knows, “Ignorance Is Bliss”, Nah. Not true. An old Nursery/Fable, “The Emporer’s New Clothes”, the Emporer dud not want to hear or accept the truth, abou5 the non existent clothing, alledgedly be8ng made, I endorse your statement, “The Truth Must Be Told”. With me, started, maybe age 7 or 8. We had an Art class, one of ou4 assignments, “draw a picture” of your Dad, ”, M6bfriend Ricky M., Drew a picture, his Dad, “full head of hair”.:My Dad, had thinning* hair, that is what I drew. Well, parents/pta night, his Mo: an$ Dad showed up. Guess what? His Dad was “bald”, no harm in being Bald But , a simple childhood exercise, Iguess I exercised, “like it is”, truth. Over the years, primarily mectenage years,”I “skirted” the truth,:a5 Times. Your story, filled with great example# of the “warning signs” in drug use, opioids, etc. You did not Harp, you explaineD in thoughtful, powerful words. Reminding yourself, importantly, of thus Hell yiubwent through, and the shock waves that may come and go for you, Tha5 is th3 suoe4 important message, Soarrow, and your Blog was “right on”. With the craving of apDrugs, one can waste a Lot of time, wasting your life, obviously. Finally, I always manage to “tap” my/musical brain. Well, ‘Jefferson Airplane” had a song, “White Rabbit”, obviously about usage And Addiction. It was ac”intriguing, sexy song”, but you kno2ctge bottom line, trying to mask the song into simething * sounding cool”. Nope, Not Cool. So, Sparrow, when you feel the need to sound the “Early Warning System”, please do so. We, as a countr6 need to be reminded, of the ‘Horrors” of Drug Usage andAddiction. Splendid Blog, “keep On blogging”. TexGen
TexGen–Thank you, thank you, thank you, my dear friend. I agree with you wholeheartedly that ignorance is NOT bliss and that the truth is important. I love your illustration of this with your drawing and your friend’s drawing. There will always be people who want to “add hair” to the truth and make it look nicer. I just want truth and honesty. You’re right about something else–it helped me to write this post and the other one because it reminded me of that awful place I was in and how helpless and hopeless I felt. I was reminded that I never want to go down that road again. I’ve never heard that Jefferson Airplane song, but I’ll go listen to it after I post this comment. Your songs always add to my own knowledge, and I love that. Thank you for all of your prayers and for your encouragement. ❤
Renee your message is needed and is right on hang tough Renee!
Thank you so much, Grover. ❤