CORI KERTIS, CIT
Finally, Good News About the Opiate Epidemic
The opiate epidemic has been a huge issue for years and at this point, the opiate epidemic is a household name. Everyone has heard of it and knows how bad it is.
I Beat My Addiction Three Years Ago!
Three years. So many things can change and occur in 3 years. You can travel to Mars and back, walk around the world or complete a degree. While I have not been to Mars or walked around the world, I have made some spectacular accomplishments.
The Christmas that Should Not Have Been
Presents, lights, family, food, cold weather; all go hand in hand with the holidays. Addiction, pain, dysfunction, lies; things that shouldn’t be associated with the holidays but unfortunately are all too common if there is an addict in the family .
Who Is More Likely to Become a Drug Addict?
A 7 year old little girl lies in bed next to her older brother. Tears are streaming down both of their faces. Once again, their mom and dad are fighting. They hear breaking glass and loud voices as they sob.
How Far Would You Go to Get High?
It’s early afternoon and withdrawals are beginning to kick in. I used the last of the drugs I had last night and all I can think of now is how to get more. I have no money and nothing left to sell. I am beyond desperate.
Giving Up Hope
Each time you hit rock bottom, it’s unimaginably worse than the last. Why does the bottom keep dropping? I’m slowly falling down, trying to grasp onto anything to keep me afloat. Yet again, I have hit the bottom. Hitting rock bottom is a different experience for everyone.
Raw Intervention
15 hours to my final destination. Honestly, it felt more like days had passed instead of the few hours that went by while I was unconscious on the frigid airplane. What time was it? Every day seemed like I was in a dream state of mind, unsure what I was doing or what my end goal is.
Being an Addict and Loving an Addict
I’m wandering aimlessly through the house anticipating the next high. Our drug dealer finally comes through with a fix. Never on time, but he finally gets here.…
Perspective
Where did addiction take me? I could tell dark stories of addiction because believe me there are plenty. I could exploit the dark memories of using drugs: where I was, who I was with, etc. Things I vaguely remember and things that are etched into my mind forever.
The Price of Hospitality
The late Saturday morning hour ticks by and soon enough becomes the afternoon. The sun is higher in the sky and the pounding in my head is at its peak. I’m coming down and groggy. The only logical remedy is one thing—more drugs. My shift starts in an hour.…