Faces of addiction – Part One: Not me, not my child, not the one I love…

Behind each of these statistics is a person and a family. That so-called junkie in the newspaper article or on TV is someone’s loved one — a child, sibling, parent or spouse. User Provided Photo

by Tina Cole-Mullins

Loretta Wright’s oldest son, Eric, was only 25 when he became addicted to the painkiller Vicodin.

“I knew he had a problem when he started missing work and leaving his kids with me,” she recently shared in a very open interview.

Numbers and statistics on addiction and the opioid crisis vary and are constantly changing. But the one constant is that the problem continues to increase. It is an epidemic and affects many in the community in some way.

Behind each of these statistics is a person and a family. That so-called junkie in the newspaper article or on TV is someone’s loved one — a child, sibling, parent or spouse. 

Grasp the scope of addiction by looking into the eyes of an addict or feeling the heartbreak of a parent. Wright revealed the great lengths she attempted to get her son the help he needed.

“I tried turning in the dealers,” she said. “I went to the police with (the) license plate number, and what drugs were being sold.” 

She was questioned as to what her intentions were, or if she had ulterior motives in informing on these illegal activities. It was as if officials thought she had something to gain, she said.

“Finally, I took Eric to methadone clinic,” Wright said with deep emotion. “This was the worst mistake of my life. Eric stayed higher than I had ever seen him.” 

On June 13, 2013, after a year of treatment in a methadone clinic, Steven Eric Vanderpool lost his battle with opioid addiction, and Loretta Wright lost her oldest son.

Looking back now, as a parent, would she have done anything differently?

“I wish I could have gotten him into rehab, but the cost of a good one is more than I make,” she said, “and the ones we can afford are always full.” 

It’s a comment heard all too often, given the scope of the epidemic. Although Stockbridge is limited in resources and support to battle this problem, agencies are trying to increase awareness. An Opiate Awareness Night was held in Unadilla last year, but these activities are few.

In another approach, Stockbridge’s Chief of Police Johnnie Torres Jr. joined forces with the Michigan State Police last August to bring the Angel Program to the village. 

The program allows someone struggling with addiction to reach out and ask for assistance. It is a walk-in program, and is not applicable in cases of traffic stops, direct contact with law enforcement or to dissolve outstanding warrants. It is not a get out of jail free program, according to officials.

Also, Michael Glair, leader of Celebrate Recovery, saw a need in the community for the recovery and support of addicts. He started a Celebrate Recovery support group in the Crossroads Community Church in November 2015.

Glair said Celebrate Recovery is “a 12-step recovery program based on the healing power of our one and only higher power, Jesus Christ.” 

According to Glair, the program started in California in 1991 with 45 people in attendance. It now has more than 32,000 ministries worldwide with millions of participants, he said. Celebrate Recovery meets at 7 p.m. every Thursday. Each evening starts with a dinner at 6 p.m., followed by Open Share at 8 p.m. A Grief Support Group also is held at the church at 8 p.m.

Glair said he held the grief support group at the same time as the recovery meeting by design.

“Several venture from Celebrate Recovery Open Share to the Grief Support group,” he said. For many, recovery does not seem a viable option for themselves or a loved one. But it is – as many live it every day.

Wright said it is important for parents to focus on finding help for their children. “To all parents of addicts, never give up,” Wright said. “Our children are worth the effort. Just keep trying and praying!”

If you would like to begin recovery, options are available. It’s up to you to reach out. Contact one of the following:

• Angel Program

Walk-in at the Stockbridge Police Department, 210 Wood St., Stockbridge, or at any Michigan State Police post.

• Mid-Michigan Recovery Services Lansing

800-337-2310 or midmichiganrecoveryservices.org.

• Home of New Vision Jackson

734-975-1602, 517-788-5596 or homeofnewvision.org.

• Dawn Farm Ann Arbor

734-669-8265 or dawnfarm.org.

• Brighton Center for Recovery Brighton

877-976-2371 or healthcare.ascension.org.