As you might know, friend, for my family and me, substance use disorder is personal. We’re blessed that my second-oldest son, Harry, has been in long-term recovery for over a decade. He’s a terrific son, husband, and father, and I’m so proud that he’s dedicated his life to helping others facing addiction – at the very same organization where he began his own recovery. Together, Harry and I even co-wrote a book a few years ago, Under Our Roof, detailing both our family’s experiences with the disease and the hope we found in recovery. Every day, over 136 Americans lose their battles with opioid addiction. Even a decade later, I still remember the pain and the fear – what if my son becomes one of those statistics? It’s a gut-wrenching thought, and for those of you facing this struggle, I see you. Yes, addiction is a struggle, but it is not a moral failure. The only moral failure is that our default position towards this horrible disease isn’t compassion and support. In Congress, I’m doing all that I can to change that, and this month I’ll be introducing legislation that makes accessing treatment for opioid use disorder easier. Your support is invaluable to me – especially on this most personal issue. – Madeleine P.S. If you or anyone in your life needs support with substance abuse, here is a resource available around the clock, 365 days a year: If you or someone you know is seeking help for substance use disorder, please call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or 1-800-487-4889 (TTY). Calling or texting 988 is another free, 24/7 form of support for those experiencing substance use disorder, suicidal thoughts, mental health crises, or any other kind of emotional distress. These toll-free helplines connect you to a professional from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA. SAMHSA can help locate local resources, and services are available in both English and Spanish. All conversations are confidential.
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