The Story of Dr. Laura Berman’s Son Who Died of an Accidental Fentanyl Overdose
Dr. Laura Berman’s Heartbreaking Loss
With the abundance of other global health events that are going on in the world today, serious concerns such as the ongoing opioid crisis are often forgotten about. Although you have likely heard countless news reports about the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, there have been numerous people who have experienced fentanyl-related overdoses. Sadly, Dr. Laura Berman was personally impacted by the results of illicit fentanyl use.
Dr. Laura Berman is a relationship therapist who bravely spoke out about her experience with opioid overdose. Dr. Laura’s son, Sammy, was a 16-year-old straight-A student. Although he presented as a typical teenager, the reality is that Sammy was likely struggling in the same way that several other kids and adults did during the strict COVID19 pandemic lockdowns. Dr. Laura and her husband found Sammy choking in his own vomit due to illicit fentanyl use. Ultimately, this illegal drug took the life of Sammy, and he became part of the growing synthetic opioid overdose statistics.
An illegal drug overdose is something that no parent or family ever wants to experience, and it’s something that can cause severe pain emotionally for every person involved. During Dr. Laura’s interviews, she talked about the excruciating pain her family is currently experiencing. Her husband and other children are now grappling with PTSD and their own set of other psychological issues due to the overdose death of Sammy.
Current US Drug Overdose Statistics
The drug overdose statistics put together by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration are genuinely startling. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the country is being overrun due to counterfeit pills. These fake pills are contributing to the synthetic opioid overdose rates because it is making it easier for an unsuspecting person to possibly overdose on this substance just as a result of abusing this substance just one time. Although a person should never take any drug substance unless directed to do so by their doctor, a person suffering from prescription opioid abuse may be desperate to feed their addiction, which results in them looking for illegal ways to do so. Drug dealers have developed a way to make synthetic opioid lookalikes, putting a person at significant risk of drug overdose and ultimately death.
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Kids Are Buying Drugs on Social Media
One of the scary and noticeable trends that have taken hold is that kids are finding ways to purchase their drug of choice through social media. Social media is something that people of all ages commonly use. Although it can be an excellent way for people to keep in touch with one another, there are dangerous impacts to social media as well. Drug dealers have found unique ways to reach teenagers who may feel curious about drug use or may not understand the severity of their drug consumption decisions. Teenagers are less likely to realize that they are consuming a counterfeit pill, which puts them at a higher risk of falling prey to a possible overdose or death. They may also feel a certain amount of peer pressure to try a particular substance.
Fentanyl in Counterfeit Prescription Pills
Unfortunately, countless drug dealers have been able to manipulate the drugs they sell to look precisely like the natural opioid prescription medication that you would have received through a legitimate prescription. There are several small and subtle changes to these pills, however. For instance, the markings on a counterfeit medication will differ from that of an actual opioid pill, and the numbering on a counterfeit pill may also vary. Although you should always reach out for help if you’re struggling with substance abuse issues, if you are actively taking these drugs or you have a loved one that is, these are things that you should always look out for, and it’s something that could ultimately save your life.
The DEA’s “One Pill Can Kill Campaign”
In response to the scary numbers associated with drug abuse and overdose, the Drug Enforcement Agency developed the “One Pill Can Kill Campaign” with the hopes of spreading awareness of the understanding that all it takes is one pill to result in death. This campaign features an abundance of information about the possibility of drug overdose and ultimate death. It was a campaign targeted toward teenagers and any person struggling with an addiction to prescription medication. The campaign was also developed to raise awareness about the counterfeit pills that are often created and how to identify possible fake pills.
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Contributing to Overdose Rates
It’s important not to overlook the impact that the COVID-19 had on opioid overdose statistics. Unfortunately, the death rate associated with synthetic opioid use and drug overdose went up during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. Drug overdose is not only something that impacted teenagers such as Sammy but people struggling with synthetic opioid abuse in general. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, people felt more isolated than ever, which is something that substance use disorders feed off. When you’re alone and feel bored, you are more likely to give in to your substance use disorders, ultimately leading to a higher overdose death rate. Even once some of the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, serious harm had already been done in many cases. Countless people found them grappling with severe drug abuse or other substance use disorders. Some of these disorders resulted in fentanyl-related overdoses, while many other people have to continue to put their lives back together due to their addiction.
Why Laura Berman Is Sharing Her Story
Dr. Laura made the brave decision to share her personal story of a drug overdose to prevent further overdose death in the future. Sadly, deaths involving synthetic opioids only continue to grow. Although law enforcement, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, have put out different information regarding harm reduction and overdose deaths involving illegal drug use, Dr. Laura believes that by adding a personal touch to accidental overdoses, she can help other parents and families to avoid the severe pain her and her family continue to experience every day.
Concerned a Loved One May Be Using Drugs?
If you have concerns that your loved one may be addicted to counterfeit pills, there are steps that you can take to get them the addiction treatment that they need. To avoid the opioid overdose possibility, you can always take steps toward reaching out to an addiction treatment facility that can provide you with more information about necessary steps that you can take to help a loved one who may be struggling with a synthetic opioid addiction.
Suppose you are trying to help a loved one with a synthetic opioid addiction or an addiction to prescription opioids. In that case, it’s important to remember that drug addiction is not a choice, and instead, an addiction to counterfeit pills or drugs and alcohol, in general, is a serious disease. As a result, and to prevent accidental fentanyl overdose, your loved one needs the care and understanding of the team at a professional treatment facility to truly overcome these difficulties. It’s impossible to force a person into treatment. Although you may be understandably concerned about a possible accidental fentanyl overdose, if a person is not ready to commit to a treatment plan to address their substance use disorders, you cannot make them understand the magnitude of their decision.
The possibility of a drug overdose is never something that should be taken lightly. If you suspect that your loved one is experiencing a drug overdose due to illegal drug use, the first thing you should always do is call emergency responders. Emergency responders will provide your loved ones with the immediate care they need to reverse the impact of opioid overdose.
Drug Rehab at Muse Treatment in Los Angeles
Do you have concerns that a loved one has become addicted to synthetic opioids? Perhaps you are worried that the drug abuse of someone close to you will result in an overdose death? If the answer is yes, it’s time for you to reach out to Muse Treatment Center and learn more about the treatment plans to address any type of substance use disorder.
Regardless of whether your drug abuse involves synthetic opioids or you find you’re struggling with an addiction to opioids, you can rest assured that our substance use disorders experts will provide you with the support and care you need so you don’t become another statistic associated with the overdose death rate associated with prescriptions opioids. For more information about treatment plans for substance use disorders at Muse Treatment, contact us today at (800) 426-1818.