Didn't have a patient die today. But one of them told me her son had died of a heroin overdose.

[Aristus]

I hadn't visited with her in almost a year. Her son died last June. She was so distraught that she took up heroin herself again. She managed to get clean again, and was still clean as of today's visit.

But the vicious circle keeps on turning around and around...

That's what makes it vicious.

And a circle...

[Ilsa]

1. Oh my.

I'm so sorry for her. I can hope for something good for her, some small measure of grace for her, something to help her keep control when she doesn't even barely want to exist. I admire her strength.

I hate that shit (the addicting opiates). I hate that it so easily takes control of so many people. And creates that cycle. I wish there was a pill to lock it out. Lock out the memory of how it feels so you wouldn't desire it.

And yet, where would we have been in pain relief over the last couple of centuries without opiates?

Bless you for helping her.

[Wounded Bear]

2. Even second hand or by proxy...

such tragedies are difficult to bear.

Good to hear the lady got clean again. You never know. I live with my addictive side being more or less in remission, but I know I'm only one misstep away from that downward spiral once again.

Best wishes, bro.