Heroin Addiction, Recovery and No Shame | Crystal Oertle | TEDxColumbus

Summary

The speaker shares their journey from opioid addiction to recovery, detailing the progression from painkillers to heroin and the daily struggle to obtain drugs. They recount the emotional toll on their family and the turning point when their mother's plea for change led them to seek help. The story emphasizes the importance of support and overcoming societal stigma to seek treatment.

Takeaways

• 💊 The speaker's addiction began at 20 with a single Vicadin pill, highlighting how easily addiction can start.
• 🔄 As tolerance grew, so did the need for stronger pain medications like Oxycontin and Dilaudid, illustrating the progression of addiction.
• 🚫 The speaker was reluctant to try heroin due to societal stigma but did so out of desperation, showing the lengths addiction can drive someone.
• 🚗 The daily commute to Columbus for heroin reflects the extreme measures taken to feed an addiction.
• 📞 The detailed process of securing drugs involved phone calls and specific instructions, indicating the organized nature of the drug trade.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker's children were often involved in these trips, demonstrating the collateral damage of addiction on family.
• 🚔 An incident where the speaker was pulled over with her child in the car didn't deter her addiction, showing the power of addiction over rational thinking.
• 🏥 The speaker's son was bitten by a dog and taken to the hospital while she was away scoring heroin, a poignant example of the neglect caused by addiction.
• 😡 The son's anger and attempt to intervene by showing the grandmother the drug paraphernalia didn't stop the speaker, underscoring the difficulty of breaking addiction.
• 👵 A serious conversation with the mother was the turning point, emphasizing the role of family in recovery.
• 🙌 The speaker's recovery was supported by her family without judgment, stressing the importance of a supportive environment for addicts.
• 🗣️ Sharing her story publicly aims to reduce the stigma around heroin addiction and encourage others to seek help, showing the power of personal testimony.

Q & A

What was the initial trigger for the speaker's addiction?

The speaker's addiction began when they were offered a Vicadin at the age of 20 and they liked the effect it had on them.

What was the progression of the speaker's addiction?

The speaker's addiction progressed from taking Vicadin to seeking stronger pain medications like Oxycoton and Diloted, and eventually to using heroin when they could not find pills.

Why did the speaker initially resist using heroin?

The speaker was reluctant to use heroin initially because they had a preconceived judgment about what a heroin addict looks and acts like, and they did not identify with that image.

How did the speaker's daily routine revolve around heroin?

The speaker's daily routine involved traveling to Columbus every day to get heroin, either using it there or waiting until they got back home, and then selling and using the drug as needed.

What was the speaker's method of obtaining heroin?

The speaker would call ahead to arrange a meeting with their dealer in Columbus, specifying how much money they had, and upon arrival, they would be directed to a specific exit and location to meet.

How did the speaker's family get involved in their addiction?

The speaker would sometimes bring their young daughter with them to the city to get heroin, believing it was safer than leaving her with a stranger.

What incidents occurred that should have prompted the speaker to quit but didn't?

The speaker's son was bitten by a dog and taken to the hospital while the speaker was away getting heroin, and another time the son confronted the speaker about their addiction, but these incidents did not make the speaker quit.

What was the turning point for the speaker to decide to stop using heroin?

The turning point was when the speaker's mother looked at them seriously and told them they had to stop, making the speaker realize the impact of their addiction on their family.

How has the speaker's family supported them through their recovery?

The speaker's family has been supportive throughout their recovery, never turning their backs on them despite the challenges the speaker caused due to their addiction.

What is the speaker's message about the stigma surrounding heroin addiction?

The speaker wants to convey that people struggling with heroin addiction should not be ashamed to seek help, as there is support available and the societal stigma can prevent people from getting the help they need.

What does the speaker hope to achieve by sharing their story?

The speaker hopes that by sharing their story, they can help at least one person realize that they don't have to be ashamed of their addiction and seek the help they need.