Trisha Barasa, a dedicated parent and holder of a master’s degree, defies the typical image of an addict. Yet beneath her composed exterior lies a harrowing battle with painkiller addiction that began as a quest for relief from chronic pain.
Barasa, who is now in recovery, has shared her deeply personal and emotional story, highlighting her struggle with addiction to painkillers while managing severe health conditions.
"I suffer from lupus, endometriosis, and coccydynia, all of which cause intense pain. The medication prescribed for this pain led to gastritis as a side effect," she explained. Barasa described how debilitating pain impacted her quality of life, making everyday activities challenging and often unbearable.
"The pain feels like a knife cutting through me. It has made me feel weak and caused me to black out. I’ve frequently had to miss work due to the severity of the pain, which is frustrating because it’s something beyond my control," she shared.
To manage her pain, Barasa resorted to using powerful and addictive painkillers. "I started with tramadol, which was accessible at first, but eventually moved on to opioids and fentanyl. These drugs provided not only pain relief but also a high, which contributed to my addiction," she recalled.
Her dependency escalated to self-medicating with injections, leading her to seek help from a pain specialist. Barasa’s journey to recovery included treatment for addiction with medication-assisted therapy. She now uses her experience to raise awareness about the challenges of balancing chronic pain with addiction.
"Opioids, whether derived from poppies or synthesized in labs, block pain signals and enhance feelings of pleasure. While they are effective in pain management, they can also be highly addictive," she said. Despite the progress she has made, Barasa noted that society often overlooks the struggles of parents dealing with opioid addiction and the support they need to thrive in their roles.
"Addiction is real and can be invisible to others. During my worst times, I was terrified of the possibility of my family finding me dead from an overdose. It was a very challenging period," she admitted.
Today, Barasa hopes her story will offer hope and encouragement to others facing similar battles. She emphasizes that opioid use disorder is not a moral failing but a serious condition requiring proper management and support.
"Eight months ago, I struggled to function, but now I lead a balanced life while managing my pain. It’s crucial that doctors not only prescribe these powerful painkillers with caution but also discuss the potential risks and explore alternative treatments when possible," she concluded.