In this episode of the Portage Health Foundation Addiction Series we’ll talk with former addict Nikki Collins, Houghton’s Chief of Police John Donnelly and Dr. Adam Frimodig from UP Health System as we learn about the devastating cycle addiction can have.
You can watch the video above, or listen to the audio version below:
Highlights from Episode 6
Nikki Collins, a former addict and current business owner
- “I’m here in recovery now, but the active addiction is hustling out there. It’s working overtime. When we go to bed at night, addiction never sleeps.”
John Donnelly, Chief of Police, Houghton Police Department
- “When we go to retail fraud ... 80-90 percent of the time it’s someone struggling with addiction.”
- “stealing for other addicts to support their habits.”
Dr. Adam Frimodig, UP Health System
- Dr. Frimodig dives into the science of why people are doing the things they are doing, including stealing and hurting people, in a survival mindset.
- “It’s not because they are bad people. … When that switch is on, it’s a losing battle. Almost nobody can fight that.”
Looking Ahead
Remember, addiction never sleeps. Even if you don’t hear or think about it for a while, the disease is still out there wreaking havoc in our community. Thanks to Nikki, John and Dr. Frimodig for their insight.
Dr. Frimodig will be back in episode seven to talk about the medical treatments available for those suffering from addiction.
More About PHF’s Addiction Series
Visit phfgive.org/addiction to see a list of all episodes, find resources on addiction in our community and to subscribe to receive an email when the next episode drops. Be sure to subscribe to the Portage Health Foundation’s YouTube channel to never miss a video episode or find PHF Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts to catch the audio version of this podcast.
How to Get Help
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, know that there are resources available in our community. Dial Help is a great place to start as they have a crisis line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week based here in the Copper Country. You can call 906-482-HELP, text 906-35NEEDS or chat live at dialhelp.org.
