What We Can Learn From The Tragic Passing of Prince: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Prince’s passing two weeks ago was beyond devastating. As someone who is only ten years younger than him, I was shocked. I remember like it was just yesterday, jamming out to “Purple Rain” during my high school years and driving around in the car screaming his lyrics at the top of my lungs. 

Yesterday, The New York Times reported that Prince was battling an opiate addiction. The outlet stated that his people reached out to a doctor in Mill Valley, California, to seek advice and help. The doctor was unable to see Prince until Friday, but since he was concerned for his welfare, he sent his son on a redeye to Minneapolis. By the time the doctor’s son had arrived, it was too late. In fact, the doctor’s son was the person that called 911.

This is a tragic story is one that is more common than you think. The disease of addiction is very scary, even more so when you are dealing with an opiate problem. Most people use opiates for the first time under a doctor’s orders. Sometimes, doctors prescribe opiates for back pain or surgery and forget how highly addictive they are. Most people don’t think they are going to become addicted to these medications, but before they know it, they already are.

People need to be completely aware of the risks are and the probability of becoming addicted before they take any drug. Doctors need to stress the addictive nature of these pills because most people believe that if a doctor prescribes them something it must be okay. But that is not true!

Before it is too late like in the case of Prince, people need to seek advice and treatment. Too many bystanders ignore the warning signs of someone who is suffering from addiction and wait until the person is convulsing from detoxing. Those suffering from addiction need to be honest and feel comfortable enough to talk openly about what is going on with their relationship with prescription medications before they have no options and are completely addicted.

Whether you’re rich or poor, addiction doesn’t care. The disease will take control of anyone. Once it has control of you, the odds of breaking free are slim unless you are willing to fight the biggest fight of your life. If you can’t fight the fight, unfortunately, death is inevitable.  

Many addicts believe that drugs and alcohol help to alleviate life’s ups and downs, so they start using over and over again. However, the more an addict starts using, it becomes increasingly difficult to turn back. Oftentimes, it takes an act of God and a strong willingness to be able to beat it and never go back to it again.

As a recovering alcoholic, I know that more needs to be done to help addicts beat their disease and the tragic passing of Prince has reinforced that the need..

You hear in the news every week that politicians are speaking out about the disease of addiction – especially with the current opioid epidemic. They are discussing ways in which addicts need to be helped, but no action is actually being taken.

A major takeaway from the tragic death of Prince is that you must help those suffering from addiction before it is too late. It also shows us that the disease does not discriminate and swifter action is needed now in our government to help deal with the ongoing epidemic.

#SoberNotAshamed

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