Opioid Addictions Explained

Over the past few years news coverage on opioid addictions has increased. I always knew opioids were used to treat pain and that addictions occurred through personal mismanagement of using the prescribed medication. But, is this the truth. Is it true that patients became addicted through overuse of a drug? If so, how did it come about that they overused a drug? This short presentation –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDVV_M__CSI

– shows us how dependence on opioids occurs.

It shows how the brain responds to the drug, and how it suppresses normal functioning. I learned from this presentation the reasons some are susceptible to becoming addicted to the drug. In reality feeling good is what they are seeking – who can blame a chronic pain sufferer for wanting this? Their struggle with pain has diverted them to a need for sensual satisfaction. This kind of mindset is hard to satisfy, and the inability to process life makes it more difficult for them to respond to pain, grief and disaster. All we learn from this presentation necessitates a response of compassion for those who become addicted. It requires tenderness from us to speak into their pain, and into their loss.

What do you think we should tell them, and how should we tell them of what they need to know to overcome their physical, emotional and spiritual struggle.

• May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

#opioid #addiction