Recovering Addict Nikki Sixx Speaks Up About Opioid Epidemic
Former Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx, now of Sixx: A.M., wrote an op-ed about the opioid epidemic from the perspective of a recovering addict.
Sixx is a recovering heroin addict who has been sober for 16 years, considers himself lucky. “Heroin nearly killed me,” he wrote. “As a matter of fact, it did: for two minutes in 1987, I was pronounced clinically dead from an overdose.”
The government estimates 142 drug overdose-related deaths per day—more than car crashes and gun homicides combined. The majority of these drug overdose statistics are due to prescription opioids and heroin. In 2015, there were more than 30,000 opioid overdose deaths nationwide, and that number is growing.
After getting hooked on prescription opioids, many users will then turn to heroin because it is cheaper and easier to get a refill. “I am here to tell you that all addicts are worth saving,” wrote Sixx.
“I know that my continuing sobriety is not the result of my actions alone,” wrote Sixx, about the support he receives from his friends and family, AA, sponsors, health insurance, money, time and resources to support his continuing recovery efforts.
“So many people don’t have access to these resources, but they are no less deserving of help. No one is a junkie by choice. And no junkie is a lost cause.”
“Addiction cannot be solved behind closed doors,” he continued. “It’s a sickness, a systemic failure and a societal problem. Individuals are responsible for their own recovery, but too often, we struggle and suffer in secrecy and silence. Secrecy and silence do not lead to solutions.”
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