You’ve heard it on the news dozens of times: this country is fighting an addiction epidemic. Of the estimated 20.5 million Americans with a substance use disorder, 2 million were involved with prescription painkillers and 591,000 were involved with heroin. Drug addiction incites desperate acts; when in the throes of incredibly painful opiate withdrawal, addicts can be driven to lie, cheat, and steal in order to “get well”.
That is exactly what happened to Priscilla Heronemus, 30, of Waukee, Iowa. After being prescribed prescription painkillers during her bout with cervical cancer in 2008, Heronemus developed an addiction to opiates.
“I knew how tricky addiction could be,” she wrote, referring to a brother who committed suicide and a sister who was a recovering heroin addict. “I think I sat in denial of my addiction for so long because I couldnt grasp how I had fallen down a path I knew so clearly was wrong.”
That denial landed her in Polk County Jail, facing a slew of fraud-related charges: three counts of forgery, two counts of fraudulent practices, identity theft, and credit card fraud. When her doctor stopped prescribing hydrocodone in 2012, she began stealing to fuel her addiction. The mother of three is facing up to 30 years in prison for her actions.
Over 15.4 million consumers were the victim of identity theft in 2016. Despite the prevalence of identity theft among addicts, few people can imagine a desperate junky having the wherewithal to steal someone’s identity. Ironically, that’s precisely why it happens so often: you don’t need to be an expert to snag a family member’s wallet (where many people keep their social security cards) in the heat of the moment, or take the checkbook lying next to the wallet. As one website explained:
“Addiction is powerful. It inhibits a person’s ability to make healthy choices, to come clean about their problem, and to dig deep for the inner strength to overcome it … Reckless, impulsive behavior is a direct side effect of addiction, and ultimately a major part of the recovery process.”
As the old adage goes, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. The recovery process, especially when opiates are involved, is similar in that those suffering from the dependency must acknowledge the negative impact it’s having on their lives and want to change it. Offering your support is one of the biggest and best things you can do for a loved one in the throes of addiction, so be sure to discuss your role in recovery with their doctor.