Setbacks to Comebacks

02/04/2026

Addiction Policy Forum is proud to share Alcohol Use Disorder 101—a brief, science-based online course designed to raise awareness and promote safer choices around alcohol use.This 15-minute, self-paced course introduces key concepts about alcohol’s effects on the body and brain, outlines the ri...

02/04/2026

02/03/2026

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sterling-elliott-pharmd-bcmtms-b0444a23b_sterling-elliott-war-on-drugs-never-has-activity-7423725068200923136-D5wC?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAABQSEd4BrAFi7aI9jxyn3BetVK734PZI0J0&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=facebook

Reposting this must-read by Dr. Sterling Elliott, whose perspective on drug policy and pain management deeply resonated with me.

Sterling Elliott makes a powerful and necessary case: the war on drugs has failed because it focuses on supply instead of demand. As someone who became dependent on opioids after surgery, I experienced firsthand how the system feeds that demand. I was prescribed opioids unnecessarily—for an entire year.

The real crisis isn’t just illegal trafficking—it’s how we, as a society, over-rely on prescription medication to achieve something that may not be fully possible: total pain elimination. That expectation is unrealistic and dangerous. The purpose of pain medication should be to make pain manageable, not to erase it completely.

Dr. Elliott is right: we need a culture shift in how we talk about pain, addiction, and healing. If patients and providers set realistic expectations and prioritize safer, more sustainable alternatives, we can reduce dependency and support recovery. We must stop treating pills as the only solution. Our bodies can manage pain—especially when supported with the right tools and education.

It’s time to reframe the conversation, not just for those battling addiction, but for how we prevent it in the first place. This is how we start to shrink demand—and save lives.

What do you think—how do we shift the culture around pain, prescriptions, and recovery?

🙏 to Chicago Tribune for giving a voice to this message. The war on drugs started with the Nixon administration in the early 70’s. It’s never been successful as a primary strategy all the while a global business has thrived with the US emerging as the preeminent market. Read my thoughts and j...

12/01/2025

Sobriety is not a competition.

12/01/2025

This may be a bit controversial here, and many may not agree with it, but I happen to think this is absolutely true! Someone NEEDS to hear your story! Someone NEEDS to see your success despite all you’ve gone through. It doesn’t make what you went through “worth it” or “better” by any means (and not to lessen what anyone has been through), but sharing your story is incredibly important!! You never know when someone will hear what you’ve survived and have the light bulb go on for them… to know they too can survive it, they too can thrive, they too can overcome!! Keep sharing your story! You matter!
~Deb 🩷

11/25/2025

Thank you to all that have sponsored the NonPain for Vets bill!

11/25/2025

Thank you for supporting the veteran community!

10/21/2025

Sobriety is the ultimate act of self-love.

10/21/2025

10/21/2025

Daily reminder✔️

09/28/2025

Recovery is a battle. A daily battle. Just keep fighting. Just hold on. Slowly, the battles will get easier.