To end opioid crisis, transform culture of despair
Opioid overdoses killed over 106,000 people in our country last year. This startling number of fatalities now exceed those from all cancer types except lung cancer (which claimed the lives of 134,000). With fentanyl becoming too easily accessible in all our communities, a 16-year-old local high school student afflicted with an opiate use disorder now has a worse prognosis than a classmate would if suffering from leukemia.
The high prevalence of suicides, alcohol related illnesses, and overdose deaths are reflective of our societal brokenness and are now identified as “deaths of despair.” There is growing concern that untreated mental health issues, adverse childhood events, and a decline in religious participation may be important contributors. Key indicators of this despair include loneliness, hopelessness, shame, poor self-esteem, and feeling unloved.
These deeply rooted pains or significant voids in one’s heart often result in self-medicating behaviors that can lead to addictions. This typically begins with the use of drugs or alcohol in a futile and ultimately harmful attempt to make up from the outside for what is truly missing on the inside. The continuous use of these substances “hijack” the brain by altering specific neural circuit pathways inciting tolerance, relentless cravings, and diminished self-control that give rise to addictions.
It is time that we place as much emphasis on the prevention and early intervention of the root causes of this public health crisis as we do for heart disease and cancer. The core of this mission should focus on optimizing the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of those afflicted to help them become whole again and live a life of purpose, value, and lasting recovery.
Prioritizing good self-care is the foundation for sustaining physical and mental wellness. This includes healthy nutrition, regular exercise, proper sleep hygiene, a commitment to limit the intake of substances harmful to one’s wellbeing, and annual physicals. Allowing more time to screen for and properly address mental health and substance use issues during these primary care encounters is vital.
Crucial habits to enhance mental health include practicing gratitude and positive thinking, partaking in mindfulness activities such as meditation and breathing exercises, and opening to others about your struggles. Improving access to mental health clinicians and initiating resiliency-building curriculums starting in grade schools is of utmost importance.
Improving social health entails developing strong connections with good people to form healthy and meaningful relationships. These are essential for combatting the toxicity of isolation and for maintaining sobriety and recovery. Participating in 12-step meetings is invaluable for finding camaraderie and kinship while promoting responsibility and accountability to help foster recovery.
Involvement in a faith community is integral to restoring spiritual health. This can help bolster resiliency, strengthen family relationships and social connections, and serve as a guide to find and embrace your true spirit for a path to inner peace and recovery.
With a better appreciation of the root causes of substance use disorders and “deaths of despair,” it becomes apparent that no family is truly immune. We must strive to help repair the deep wounds and fill the voids in the hearts of those afflicted to help them become whole again and no longer enslaved by their addictions. All these efforts will help transform this culture of despair to one of hope and healing to prevent more needless sufferings and deaths.