On September 6, 2021, Emmy Award Nominated Actor Michael K. Williams died of a drug overdose which included a combination of, cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. Williams played the iconic role of Omar in the HBO series The Wire and Chalky White in the HBO Series Boardwalk Empire. When drug related deaths occur, substance use disorders counselors are able to examine these tragedies from our clinical lens and think about the implications of such tragedies for our future work.
As a youth Michael K. Williams experienced abuse, neglect and depression. We now know that these co-occurring conditions lie at the core of addiction and almost always precede a substance use disorders. At seminars I often ask substance use disorders professionals to raise their hands if they are a trauma or co-occurring disorders specialist? Approximately 1% of participants raise their hand. In addition, many professionals in our field remain resistant, sometimes even hostile regarding the idea of harm reduction.
It is time for more substance use disorders counselors to become trauma specialists. According to Dr. Gabor Mate, trauma is at the core of addiction. The fact that over 50% of individuals with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring disorder provides a strong rationale for us to become dual disorders specialists as well. With fentanyl being 50 times more potent than heroin, would Michael K. Williams still be alive if fentanyl strips were used as a harm reduction strategy? How many of your clients would stay alive long enough for the miracle of recovery to occur if harm reduction strategies were used?