Replies to '02/21 The Dr. Phil House: Heroin Twins Follow-up'

Hi Carol!

I too am wondering about Joani because of what I read in the description of the show where it said she's having trouble.

I'm writing to you because of you saying you are addicted to pain killers, and I'm just so curious about people like us and if you would be interested in talking I would like to hear from you very much.  I don't know if this is ok but my e-mail is: slufootsuz@aol.com.

I'm very concerned about this because I'm a chronic pain patient and from a previous Dr. Phil show and so many others I am wondering if anyone on pain meds for a prolonged time will eventually become addicted?  If so, is this a price we have to pay for being out of pain?  Or is society telling people if they are on pain killers they are addicted and we believe that because of some symptoms we have or are our bodies physically dependant on the medicine?

I would love to see someone as responsible and intelligent as Dr. Phil tackle that issue and I would love for him or someone in the media look at the positive side of pain medicine for chronic pain.  Some people do need it because there are no other alternatives, and we constantly search for one, but for some such as myself, pain medicine has allowed me to be a mom, wife and fairly productive member of society, and I'm not alone.

So Carol I'm wondering where you fit in these areas?  I would love to talk to you if you want a friend, to help you whatever you choose to do, I'm not judgemental, or anyone else who would like to not be alone because you are a chronic pain patient, and would like someone who won't make you feel guilty if you do take pain meds(NOT ADDICTED to them cuz you have no need just want the high), but along with me are open to and always looking for alternatives to these meds.

God Bless You Dr. Phil!

I understand so much more about why you are so good with people who are addicted to so many different things, since I've learned more about Robin's up-bringing, you know how addictions hurt and destroy "family members" and you carry the love and respect you have for your wife to your patients, audience and whoever you try to help, because you helped Robin to be a SURVIVOR-Congrats Robin.

Also, thank you two for all that you have done for Katrina victims such as myself(I'm a quiet Katrina victim).  I live in Ms. in fact I live 100 miles inland from Gulfport, and my county (Jones) was the worst hit county in Ms. above the coast!  Imagine that 100 miles inland, 9 deaths, I think the Governor said the 2nd worst hit county, but that doesnt' make sense, anyways, I apprec. all that you have done, I would ask one thing of you, and this is in no way to disrespect what you have done, please know that, and I'm not talking about our county because we are ok compared to the coast and New Orleans, but please, please DON"T FORGET MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST!!  They were destroyed and it makes me sad, sometimes mad that most of the focus is on New Orleans, and there should be a lot, but equal time for equal trauma!

Don't be surprised if one twin doesn't make it, and if she doesn't the other twin could relaps very easy. I know this because I had two sisters who passed away, they were 10 months apart and they faught with each other but they couldn't live without each other, one died of a meth overdose in 2003 at age 47, and the other last Nov 2006, age 53, still waiting to see if she over dosed too.  I never lived close to them, I never been addicted to anything other then smokes, which I was trying to quit, I don't know if I even care anymore now.  I do suffer the death of my sisters big time, they could not or would not stop what they were doing, they have been into drugs since they were children. It didn't matter what I had to say,  so I stayed away from them, you can't change a person unless they want to be changed. As for pain killers, I hope I never ever have a need for them, it really scares me, this is why.  My whole family including my sisters were addicted to pain pills, nerve pills, every pill they could get their hands on.  I don't think Dr. Phil will be able to cure both girls, and if he does, we should kiss the ground he walks on.  We all know any drugs, weather pain drugs or street drugs, they are all killers one way or the other, and addiction is a tough habit to stop, even smoking.  I surely hope Dr. Phil can help the twin that relaps, I guess only time will tell.