How kindness and listening can help in the fight against the opioid poisoning crisis
Brad has been in recovery from opioid dependence for about five years now. He’s struggled with this addiction for nearly two decades.
“It affects everything. From the time I woke up to the time I went to sleep, if I slept,” he says. “I would hate myself because I didn’t want to take opioids, but I would still do it, and then I’d hate myself after and get depressed or angry. It’s a vicious cycle. But eventually I got sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
Brad says that he’s lucky he started a recovery journey when he did. Today, all across the country, as fentanyl contamination has become more prevalent, the recreational drug supply has become much more toxic.
In the last few years, it’s grown exponentially. Fentanyl is everywhere. Someone could just be doing some substance, thinking it was just that, but was laced with fentanyl, then there is a very high chance that they will overdose from that illicit fentanyl.
Brad believes empathy and kindness are essential to helping people break the cycle of addiction. “There’s always going to be stigma with it,” he says. “I’m still painted with that brush and it’s never going to come off. But everybody deserves a chance. If you’re struggling or know someone who is, reach out and talk. You don’t even have to talk about the specific problem. Knowing that there’s someone to sit with you and listen to you and just be there for you. That can be a big help in itself.”
The opioid poisoning crisis has widespread impacts, across diverse communities and populations, all over Canada. To help end it, it’s important to know and understand the stories behind it. Brad reminds us that simply listening and withholding judgement can be one of the most powerful tools we have in overcoming
this challenge.
