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DNA: I Am Who I Am… or Am I? – Session Nine

Is Addiction Inherited?
Genetic Testing for the OPRM1 Gene, Opioid Abuse, and Alcoholism Featuring “DNA 4 TEENS" With "GENiE"

A New Year’s Resolution: Stop Damaging Your Precious and Remarkable Brain!

Americans In Pain and Addicted: Untangling the Opioid Crisis

Part Eight (Finale): Pain, Pain, Go Away! Final Insights from Experts
When you search the words “Opioid Crisis” on the internet, mountains of alarming articles pop up, but precious few provide well-researched background on the origins and ever-evolving dangers of the epidemic.

Americans In Pain and Addicted: Untangling the Opioid Crisis

Part Seven: Let’s Give YOU a Voice!
What follows are some of the voices of my gentle readers. If you are not among them, please try to understand, and feel their pain…

Americans In Pain and Addicted: Untangling the Opioid Crisis

Part Six: Without Opioids, a Decent Life becomes Impossible
When Jeremy came to see me in my office last year, his demeanor said it all: Rumpled jacket, pained expression, and the quiet, tremulous voice of a man who never in his entire life believed he’d wind up in a therapist’s office. “My doctor abruptly stopped prescribing me Oxy,” he told me when I asked him what was wrong, “and the pain is making me crazy.” As I looked into his eyes, and saw the depth of his emotional and physical pain, my own heart began to ache as well.

Americans In Pain and Addicted: Untangling the Opioid Crisis

Part Five: Finding Something to Live For
“Chronic pain and addiction are a life-long struggle, and it can humble even the proudest and strongest person. As difficult as it may be, you can’t let your suffering define you and control you. Something, anything, needs to be more important”

Americans In Pain and Addicted: Untangling the Opioid Crisis

Part Four: Climbing Up from Rock Bottom
I want you to appreciate something about treatment: Progress is not a straight line. It takes twists and turns, there are relapses and setbacks and high mountains to climb. But, together with a caring medical professional, you push forward and climb them.

Americans In Pain and Addicted: Untangling the Opioid Crisis

Part Three: What is an Opioid, and is Accidental Addiction Possible?
Some opioids create over 100 times more endorphins than the body produces naturally, causing feelings of happiness and joy in addition to relief from pain.

Americans In Pain and Addicted: Untangling the Opioid Crisis

Part Two: Killing us Softly
Here’s the shocking truth: Opioids are projected to kill roughly half a million people across the country over the next five years.

Americans In Pain and Addicted: Untangling the Opioid Crisis

Part One: What Went Wrong?
How did so many Americans become addicted to painkillers? Historically, opioid painkillers were only prescribed for the most severe pain, such as after major surgery or for cancer patients; and even then, for only short periods of time.