Thank You, David Whiting!

Photo:  
PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER


I was ecstatic to open (online) my local newspaper and find a front page article on how opiates are killing the youth of  South Orange County.  FINALLY someone in the media is taking notice and spreading the word.

Of course we all know this is happening across the entire USA, but where I come from, a very clean, safe, upper middle-class (mostly) area, its one of those things "nice families" think their children are immune to.  Its so important for parents to understand what is going on and that heroin is not like other drugs.

I know the photo will be upsetting for many of you to see.  I still cringe when I see a roll of foil and a laundry list of other household items that are now associated with heroin.

I've mentioned before that I've wanted to write a book, and so has Keven.  I took a class on self-publishing yesterday and think I am going to go for it.  I want to share what I've learned.  I don't have all the answers but I sure know a lot more now than I did in 2008 when this nightmare started.  Its become a passion of mine to help other parents.  Do you think anyone would actually buy the book?????  I'm open to any and all input from the other "experts" who read here.

Thanks.

Peace, Hope and Love, Barbara

Another Loved One Addicted

One of my closet friends just let me know that she has been using drugs (again) for the last year.  Good old prescription opiates.  She lives in another country where she can buy them without a prescription.  She's here for a few weeks and is going through withdrawals.  I am so glad she told me.  I am trying to "coach" her sister through how to help her physically get through the next few days of hell.

She didn't want to tell me and add burden to what I am going through with K, but because of him I feel like I can support her through it better.  I have studied it, witnessed it, I have learned so much.  I don't know how it feels, but I've been around it enough to understand what she's going through, what's she's up against.

She was with me when I gave birth to K, they were very close when he was a kid, we'd go to her house to swim all the time, went to Catalina with her several times, even went to London with her once.

I am wondering if it would be helpful for both of them if he talked to her, kind of like a peer, someone who can relate.

CLARIFICATION:  What I meant by that sentence above (that I can see came out all wrong), is:  

I know K can't HELP her, I just kind of picture him hugging her and KNOWING what she's going through and that in some sad way it renews the bond that they used to have years ago before he turned into a teen and she moved so far away.  I guess I should have been  more clear.  I picture him more being empathetic since he knows what it feels like to withdraw, etc.



I feel horrible for my friend and I am here for her.  Never a dull moment around here. 


Peace, Hope and Love,
Barbara

Call me crazy....I don't care

I love Bruce Springsteen.

I've followed his career since the 70's, long before anyone out west really "knew" him (had a friend from Jersey who turned my sister on to his music).  

I've seen him in concert every time he's been to Southern California since 1981 (20 so far).  I admire him for many reasons, but its mostly about the music:  his passion for writing and performing meaningful songs about real life. His music has provided the sound track to my life, changing and evolving through the decades but never losing its ability to touch me in and make me feel alive.



So I decided, what the heck, I think I'll write him and inform him of the opiate/heroin epidemic that is spreading across HIS country.  His kids are teenagers, if he doesn't know about this stuff, he should.  I want to tell him about my son, and your kids.   

I want him to use his voice to bring awareness and make a difference. And, I believe he'll help, I honestly do.... if he ever gets the letter, that's just how he is.  Now I have to figure out how to get the letter to him, I guess via his manager or agent.  I will keep trying till I hear from him.


So that's my crazy thing I'm going to do.  I'll let you know when he gets back to me.



UPDATE ON K:  He's not doing so well.  They have him on some new meds, took him off all his old ones.  I want to trust that this doctor is good and that she knows what she's doing.  I am working really hard at staying in the moment and not worrying.


Peace, Hope and Love,
Barbara

P.S.  Those are just a few of my ticket stubs, if you click on them check out the PRICES we used to pay for concerts.  Its outrageous what we pay now.  Never bring up "Ticketmaster" in front of me unless you want to see me get on my soapbox about the unfairness of their practices, another thing Bruce cares about and has spoken out on.

Listen to "Dad on Fire" tomorrow (12/13/09)

Sunday, Dec. 13th, @ 9PM EST (Tampa), DadOnFire is a guest on The Larry G Show talking about addiction, treatment and recovery. The perspective of a dad on fire to make a difference.  Your link:  860wgul.townhall.com/radioschedule Scroll down to the 9-10PM show calledThe Prescription Addiction Radio Show.

I plan on listening.  It should speak volumes to our society that there is a need for a radio show on the specific topic of prescription drug addiction...it seems to be growing rather than being eliminated. I am willing to do whatever I can to change that.

Ironically, my son is one of the few that went straight for the heroin, shooting it from the start, smoking it and shooting it as his addiction progressed and adding oxy and other rx drugs along the way.  But most begin with those innocent looking "pills".

I've seen the ugliness of full blown heroin addiction - the ugly track marks, the vacant eyes, the personality of someone that I don't even know - yet gave birth to...the thief in the night.

If we can stop the average teen from popping something found in the medicine cabinet at home, or handed to them by a good friend at a party, then hopefully that will prevent more from becoming heroin addicts.

Don't get me wrong - I am not saying that any of type of opiate addiction is worse or more serious than another - heroin addiction just has such an ugly element to it that you don't find along with those neat little  pills.


Peace, Hope and Love,
Barbara

Rush Limbaugh talks to William Shatner about his Opiate Addiction

William Shatner has a new show called "Shatner's Raw Nerve" where he interviews various celebs and gets to the deep stuff that is often glossed over by other "talk show" hosts.

I love The Shat.  He also has every guest bring something, kind of like show and tell type thing, also kind of unique.

Bill had Rush Limbaugh on his show and asked him about his drug addiction (Oxycontin).  This is not word for word, but its very close.  I found myself respecting Rush Limbaugh for what he said (not my usual opinion of him).

I wish people would understand that if it was just a CHOICE to stop, most addicts would have quit by now.

WS:  How do you function if your using all the time?


RL:  You get to the point where your whole life  is "where do I get more?" 
With opiate addiction, you no longer use to get high, you just need it to keep yourself from getting sick (i.e. withdrawal/dope sick).


WS:  Why can't determination, or love, or will power help an opiate addict?


RL:  Because its a brain chemical disease. You need treatment.  You can do it by raw will, but the withdrawal process is like having the worst flu you can image times ten - vomiting, body aches, the whole thing.  I lived in fear of it.


WS:  (said something to the effect that his was a disgrace to his career)


RL:  No, its the best thing that ever happened to me, I wish I would have learned all the lessons I got in recovery when I was 20 years old.