Seizing the Opportunity in America ’ s Opioid Crisis

“Perhaps everything that is terrible is, in the deepest sense, something that wants our love.” – Rilke The overdose epidemic in the U.S. has been called “the greatest public health crisis of our time.” It’s also our greatest opportunity. The opioid crisis is an identity crisis: it’s a challenge to how we see ourselves. Do we truly believe that we are all in this together? One answer leads us deeper into despair. The other, into a hopeful future. It’s been said that “doing more things faster is no substitute for doing the right things.” What are the “right things,” the measures that can resolve the crisis, not just postpone it? The right actions come from the right thoughts. Those thoughts come from feelings, and feelings are never right or wrong. But there are some feelings we are born with. They are our birthright. And one of them is love. The Kindness of Strangers “Hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love alone is healed.” — The Buddha Behind the opioid epidemic is a prevailing lack of compassion, of caring about everyone equally. At the heart (or lack of it) of this societal disease is rampant inequality. The social determinants of health: stress, unemployment, lack of support, poor health care, etc. are major drivers of addiction. Many authors promote this view, including Gabor Mate, Bruce Alexander, Sam Quinones, Robert Putnam, and Harry Nelson. Our increasing fragmentation affects everyone, poor or rich. “Dru...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Addiction Publishers The Fix opioid crisis Source Type: blogs