Spirit

On June 23, 2022, I stood with friends and family to bury my best friend who lost his battle with addiction. In the thirty-seven years I knew him, there was not a day I didn’t think about him, even when we lost touch for periods of time. Anytime I truly needed him, he was there. I accepted him, loved him unconditionally, and would do almost anything for him. What I couldn’t do was save him from his addiction to drugs. It’s a tough place to be in, caring for a person with addiction. In the last year, I have been exploring Gabor Mate's philosophy of addiction and its roots in childhood trauma and disconnection. His theories have opened my eyes to the complex interplay of biology, psychology, and environment in shaping addiction. I've also been learning about harm reduction strategies, such as safe injection sites and naloxone distribution, which prioritize keeping people alive and reducing the harm of drug use. As a result, I am inspired to work towards systemic change in our approach to addiction, advocating for more resources for harm reduction and prevention, and promoting a more compassionate and understanding approach to those struggling with addiction.