When I met Nicky, a 33-year-old mom of two, and a recovering addict, she told me she’d been a cheerleader, sang in her church choir, and always held a job. But Nicky’s life took a downward turn early on. She started smoking marijuana when she was 11, moved on to using inhalants with her friends, and eventually began shooting heroin. When I interviewed her, she was committed to recovery, but she told me that every day was still a struggle. Her journey was not easy.
Addiction, Drug Overdose on The Rise
Although these topics have not been getting as much media attention as they did pre-pandemic, both addiction and drug overdose are on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 81,000 people died from drug overdoses between May 2019 and May 2020, the highest number of overdose deaths the CDC has ever recorded in a 12-month period. Just as disturbing, suicide, depression, and self-harm also seem to be increasing, particularly among young people. That’s the bad news.The good news is that if you, or anyone in your life, is struggling with addiction, there are lifestyle changes you can make—right now—to help you heal. While getting completely sober might not feel possible, lifestyle improvements make a big difference.
