According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics there were an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the United States from April 2020 to April 2021. This was an increase of 28.5% from the 78,056 deaths during the same period the year before. 1

How did we get here?  In the mid-1990’s, Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, promoted its Opioid based pain killer as “safe”, “effective” and “non-addictive”. Purdue launched a massive marketing campaign and marketed this powerful drug as “non-addictive” knowing full well that in fact, it was. Other pharmaceutical companies followed suit, though not on as large a scale as Purdue. 2

In addition, despite a lack of adequate studies, the FDA approved the medication for both short term and long term pain. Thus beginning the over prescribing by physicians across the country and leading to the Opioid epidemic that we still find ourselves in today. There have been several waves of this epidemic since the 1990’s which have included Heroin and the proliferation of the very deadly synthetic based opioid, Fentanyl. 2

In my own personal and professional experience, I have met many individuals that were prescribed an opioid drug for acute or chronic pain and found themselves addicted in a relatively short period of time. Many of these people had never had any type of addiction problem prior to taking this medication. The opioid was typically prescribed for an injury or after a surgical procedure. These people came from all kinds of backgrounds. Backgrounds such as injured high school athletes, business executives, attorneys, nurses, union workers, urbanites, suburbanites…etc. The list goes on and on. In the nine years I’ve been sober, I have personally lost three friends to an opioid overdose. Leaving behind heart broken families, children and friends.

But, there is also the good news. In my personal and professional experience, I have also known countless others who have overcome their opioid addiction and have remained in long term Recovery like myself. Men and women, young and old, from of all sorts of backgrounds, living happy, healthy, and productive lives.  As difficult as it can be, there is Help and there is Hope! Lives are being saved and families are being restored. There is an entire army of people fighting this epidemic! Interventionists like myself, therapists who specialize in addiction, detoxes and rehabs, physicians, law enforcement, government, non-profits, and many, many more. There are scores of people willing to help those who need of Recovery! I encourage you to reach out to these people and organizations for help! Thousands of people are recovering today! Yes! We Do Recover!

If your family is struggling with a loved one addicted to opioids or any other substance, please call me for a free consultation. An intervention may be just what you and your family need. Let’s build a strong family team and begin your journey to wellness and wholeness.  Your journey of Recovery!

I hope this article helps someone today!  Love and light to you all!

Joe Ortiz
Interventionist

Certified CRAFT Method
Certified Break Free Method
Cell:  732-599-7817