Our Elizabeth: Her Struggle With Opioid Addiction

by Larry C. Turner

In the late 1990’s pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community that patients would not become addicted to time released opioid pain relievers and healthcare providers began to prescribe them at greater rates. Increased prescription of opioid medications led to widespread misuse of both prescription and non-prescription opioids before it became clear that these medications could indeed be highly addictive. Today it is estimated that over 2 million people in the US suffer from an opioid disorder and over 130 of them die from an opioid overdose each and every day. Our daughter, Elizabeth, had everything going for her when she graduated from high school in 2006. She not only graduated with a GPA that earned her a Georgia Hope Scholarship, but she was beautiful, talented, and kind. She was determined that she wanted to attend Auburn University and was accepted into their school of journalism. She wanted to become a journalist. That bright future all changed when she became addicted to opioids via misuse of OxyContin. Most people picture poor inner-city youth when they hear the term opioid addict not youth from middle to upper middle class suburbs. But Elizabeth was typical of those caught in the web of the opioid epidemic that gripped the country in 2009. The next few years would be a never ending struggle for Elizabeth to recover from her addiction and an even more frustrating struggle for us as her family to help her try to achieve and maintain sobriety. This book describes her struggle and our family’s struggle with her addiction and tries to explain just how our country became enveloped in this epidemic.

107 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2020

Reviews

[Elisabeth Brookshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slice of "Dreamland"

If you have an interest in taking a brief look back at that scourge of the opiate crisis, you should probably read this short book. When I read the synopsis, I assumed I was getting an episode of, "Intervention". Attractive, middle class young woman who decides to experiment with prescription drugs, maybe goes to jail or rehab. I was shocked by what actually happens. I appreciate her father and family spending so much time to try and educate others on the quick grasp and fall that can happen with these drugs. Now we know and here we go, Fentynal.

[Beryl A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loss of a Soul

This book was very well written and kept this reader reading all day and into the night! There are certain chapters that needed to be reread to make sure every fact was read and understood the pain that the loved ones were put thru! Sad that justice was not forthcoming to a certain young man and woman but they have to try and live with what they did and perhaps caused another to lose her life! My prayers are being said for you and your loved ones. Thank you so very much for sharing your pain so hopefully others may learn from it.

[Susan Mauro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartfelt, heartbreaking, and truthful.

This book broke my heart for the addict and their loved ones. It was heartfelt because I am the mother of an adult son suffering with addiction. Heartbreaking because the addict doesn't really feel the pain they cause others. I felt this book was truthful and well researched. I will never stop hoping my son and all addicts surrender their addiction to God and get the help they need.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely heartbreaking story. Addiction is cruel. It affects not only the person addicted, but the family and friends as well. There’s no exact roadmap how to deal with addiction for parents or spouses, etc. People do the best they can. This story is so sad. Having said that, at the end of the book it says they gather at Elizabeth’s grave twice a year to release helium balloons. Really? Are people STILL clueless how bad that is for the environment? Please educate yourself.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of books on addiction, and there is not always a recovery. This is the case with this book.

I am pretty stoic when I read memoirs on addiction, but this one broke my heart. I am always so focused on the addict that I forget there might be a family who is baffled, scared, and desperate, and this book honestly portrays this.

I know that Elizabeth will always be fondly and lovingly remembered by her family.

[Tiyah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good book with lots of information. Rest in peace Elizabeth