When I was in the midst of my opiate addiction, I used to envy people who didn’t need opiates to function. Sometimes, even a year later, I’m overcome with amazement and gratitude that I no longer require them in my body on a daily basis. I never really thought that I would be free of the grip of opiates. It was like being in jail on a life sentence. I felt that life would be my existence until it ended, the only question was when. Though, around New Year’s Eve or on my birthday every year, some part of me would think “maybe this will be the year I get off opiates.” But that thought was always short-lived and evaporated by the next day at the first signs of withdrawal, like, “who am I kidding?” READ MORE