ALTHOUGH CHILDREN ARE RESILIENT, THEY, TOO, FACE THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF OPIOIDS WHEN EXPOSED TO A CHILDHOOD WITH ADDICTED PARENTS.

What if the physicians who prescribe opioids, simultaneously discussed measures for tapering their patients off a prescription regimen? Or prescribed natural pain relief options instead? These approaches may, very well, be foreign to some, but for the children who are affected by their parent’s addiction, it is necessary.

THIS TEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL KNOWS ALL TOO WELL.

Imagine being in the fourth grade and all you can focus on during “that time of the month” is seeing your mom or dad having an episode from taking opioids beyond the recommended dosage. Furthermore, you have to make a sound judgement on whether or not to accompany your parents places or to invite them to school events because their physical and mental condition could alter at any time after consumption of the medication. One ten-year-old girl knows what can ensue all too well--

You and your parents pull up to the front awning of your grade school. You are excited because you and your fellow, quick-recall teammates are being honored at an academic banquet. You get out and insist on attending it solo, but your mom, being motherly, wants to attend in support. Prior to this, you accompanied your parents to the pharmacy where opioid prescriptions were filled, so you say no, but your dad insists that your mother is fine. I mean, she appears to be coherent and herself, so you go against your gut and oblige.

The two of you join the festivities; your mother is the life-of-the-party, as she is known to be with her vibrant, spirited personality, when things begin to go south.

Everyone gets silent and directs their attention to the front of the cafeteria where the keynote speaker overlooks the crowd. As he leans into the lectern and begins his speech, the effects of the pills are kicking in and your mother has morphed into the person you loathed--the incoherent parent who unknowingly embarrasses you in public. Droopy eyes. Fallen neck. Hunched back. … you feel this intense throbbing below your abdomen and your teeth clench because this validated your conscious: she should not have come.

Even though you know what will transpire, you nudge her. You nudge her because you want her, so badly, to revert to the person who was, just moments ago, charming everyone and causing laughter.

You feel both of you shrinking.

She is exposed, and that hurts more than the embarrassment because she is your superhero - the supermom who thoughtfully scrapbooks for her children, makes them French toast and sprinkles each slice with confectionery sugar - but here, her cape has wilted; it is now outshone by the intoxication.

Not a surprise to you, she slowly lifts her head, eyes half-closed, and loudly slurs, “Stop. I'm fine.”

The throbbing intensifies.

You quickly rise from your seat and sprint to the opposite end of the school, the hallway floors holding streams of tears along the way. You reach the gymnasium and lock yourself in the girls’ locker room where you sob uncontrollably--experiencing a range of emotions: hurt, disappointment, anger, and betrayal.

Why is this happening to you?

Why is this your life?

You were no first-generation college student in the making--no, your mother held an alumna title, but it did not matter. One’s social class or education level is irrelevant. Opioids do not discriminate. They destroy lives, bury dreams, and emotionally tarnish children; however, it appears that these deep-seeded effects have yet to entice all physicians to closely regulate their methods for prescribing them.

According to Renzoni (2019), those who once misused prescription opioids, account for approximately 80 percent of heroin users. Opioids are so powerful that when taken repeatedly, the brain’s ability to naturally produce dopamine and endorphins - reward and pleasure-providing neurotransmitters - ceases, thus only allowing one to experience these feelings with the use of opioids. To know that a medication with such potency exists and to never initiate a tapering regimen is immoral.

That ten-year-old-girl was me, and that anecdote was one of numerous, public and private. I was fortunate to be strong-willed enough to filter my frustration and sadness through positive outlets, but this is not the case for every child. Founder and director of Recovery Research Institute, John Kelly, Ph.D., and Harvard Medical School’s Associate Professor of Psychiatry in addiction medicine, states that children are “a neglected subpopulation;” admitting that the focus has been so laser-pointed on overdose-prevention, we have forgotten to tend to our most precious casualty--children (Richardson, 2018). Affected children are more susceptible to several negative effects from a mental, physical, and health perspective in reference to a forever recovery (2018):

• Declined Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Development

• Trauma and Mental Health Symptoms (i.e. depression, anxiety, oppositional behavior, low self-esteem, aggressive behavior)

• Substance Abuse

These issues can be carried into adulthood. And my only hope is that more will be done to combat the Opioid epidemic from its origin. Our children are our future; therefore, specific programs should be implemented to nurture those affected by this crisis.

If you relate to the little girl above, you still have a bright future ahead. Remember: you are not to blame for your parent’s addiction; your destiny is not determined by your current situation. Envision your future and work to attain it because you can.

I STAND WITH YOU.

THIS PHENOMENA OF CHRONIC SELF-DOUBT IS IMPOSTOR SYNDROME.

Hooray! You’ve earned your degree, passed the certification for which you’ve diligently studied, and ambitiously attained that position you’ve striven to get. And now that the congratulatory cards have become décor, doubt quickly pierces through your every thought.

Am I supposed to be here?

What do they see in me?

...maybe I’m not as ready as I’d thought.

This phenomena of chronic self-doubt is Impostor Syndrome—undervaluing our worthiness and blaming luck for our success. Many of us have experienced it and have since grown from it; however, this isn’t always the case. If we’re going to become who we’re destined to be, it’s imperative that the symptoms of the Syndrome shift to our rear view.

It may be an “easier-said-than-done” task, but it is possible. Simply ask fashion designers and twin sisters Delainia and ElainIa Wilkinson, owners of Lexington, Kentucky’s only black-owned clothing store, Euno Designs.

INTRODUCING EUNO DESIGNS.

Back from a recent art show in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, I interviewed them whilst they eagerly constructed designs for their upcoming Fall line. Nestled comfortably in the stitching room of their shop, Delainia - donned with a leopard animal print headscarf and cobalt blue, UK hoodie - voiced her response first amid stitching a black and white, vertically-lined, couture crop top.

Why did you choose fashion? What does it mean to you?

D: For me, it’s an expression of how you’re feeling each day. It’s a reflection of your personality. I chose fashion because as my sister and I were encouraged to be models, we were asked to expose more skin with each shoot, which is an epidemic in the African American modeling community. Our goal with Euno Designs is to desexualize women and maintain our dignity. So, in order to remain in the industry, I chose design. My passion for it dates back to my childhood, when I made clothes for my dolls.

Wearing a mustard yellow blazer, and peering down at the sewing machine through gold-rimmed glasses, Elainina chimes in.

E: Agreed. Your attire is a person’s first impression of you. Fashion to me is self-expression based on your emotions--it changes from day to day.

Is there a favorite aspect of fashion that you’d prefer over others?

E: I like that the industry allows me to meet different women from all walks of life and age groups. I gain inspiration from seeing their preferences and ways of expression--this influences my design choices.

Delainia looks up from her stitching.

D: Designing. I love everything about it: selecting the textiles, feeling it, pairing it with other fabrics, the liner.

Recently you two attended a Philadelphia art show for the first time. How was it?--biggest take-away?

D: I enjoyed the diverse crowd and the immediate feedback from customers. Them giving their honest opinion was another highlight.

E: Seeing the different cultures and experiencing the positive vibes and energy did it for me. Moreover, the best part was the receptive crowd, and the genuine support from other designers, which isn’t widespread here in Lexington.

You both have experienced Impostor Syndrome. Why do you believe you were mentally set back?

D: Self-doubt is the root cause for me. And because of it, it’s caused the bar of perfection to be at an all-time high or for me to “play it safe” with my designs. At times, I’ve felt that my work wasn’t good enough, that I didn’t have enough, or that I wouldn’t meet customers’ expectations.

E: I had doubts that I wasn’t providing quality merchandise, and would question myself, what if I’m not delivering, quite a bit.

How have you two overcome that?

E: I took a leap of faith. People liked our work, so I said, “Let’s open a shop!” Being in a gentrified district, it’s important to preserve our urban communities and for young African Americans to see themselves reflected in successful businesses around them.

It’s inspirational, and that, in itself, brings me joy--knowing that I’m setting an example and a “you can do this too” expectation. I wish for this to be the norm; this has helped me to overcome the Syndrome.

D: I keep trying and praying every day to overcome self-doubt. I’ve learned not to give up or to fold under self-pressure or to give in to others’ insecurities.

The highly-skilled designers had this to share with fashion industry aspirants:

E: Continue to perfect your craft. Don’t give up, and don’t be scared to put yourself out there.

D: Network, network, network.

The Euno Designs owners have implemented environmental initiatives to be a sustainable company. They are open to presentable fabric donations. Stay tuned for their Fall line--an array of pieces that are sure to brighten your wardrobe. Browse the shop now.

Need a custom design for any occasion? Need alterations that won’t break the bank? Message The Wilkinsons: eunodesignz@gmail.com.

Part of overcoming the Impostor Syndrome is identifying if you have it. Take this quiz now to rate yourself.

As always, wishing you all the best.

Pictured: Fashion Designer, Elainia Wilkinson fitted with a Euno Designs, custom made sundress.