On Oprah – Family Addicted to Heroin

I’ve seen a lot of things in my life but today’s episode of Oprah really got to me.  First, she spoke to a family where all of the family members, except for the baby, was addicted to heroin.  What struck me was that, before they started using drugs, they were a well-off, middle-class family living in a nice home with nice cars.  It hits home because it really illustrates that it can happen to anyone.

The husband/father, Mike, went from earning about $100,000 a year to getting addicted to prescription drugs after suffering a back injury.  It’s not clear how his wife, Darla, started using but they both admitted to eventually shooting heroin in front of their two older sons, who are now also addicted top the drug.  They live in a homeless shelter now and were so honest about it all that it really broke my heart.  I found Oprah to be a little harsh with them and she seemed to almost be judging them for finding a way to fund their addiction rather than finding the money to pay for detox/rehab.  It’s shocking coming from her because this is an addiction and, most of the time, people need all sorts of resources and support to quit.  She made it sound so simple which was disappointing given the fact that I think struggling with overeating and weight gain should make her understand the nature of addiction – it’s not exactly like she looks like she’s resolved those issues and, having struggled with weight problems myself, I felt I could understand how difficult it is to stop certain behaviors even though it’s bad for me.  Anyway, it frustrated me but, in the end, the family was offered treatment which they all tentatively accepted.

Oprah also spoke to Merry, a young mother who chose to go through a detox while five months pregnant (she also has a 4-year-old daughter) after her boyfriend was arrested.  Her mother, who was in the audience, said that it was the fifth time they’d been through the process but, in the end, Merry was invited to stay at a live-in treatment facility called Seabrook House.  I truly hope that she gets the help that she needs for the sake of her unborn child and her little girl.

- What did you think of today’s show?
- Have you ever known someone addicted to heroin?
- Do you think Oprah crosses the line when she talks to some people?

Make sure you check out the “Five Things You Should Know About Addiction” on the Oprah website.

image credit: oprah.com