The opioid crisis has not gone away

The opioid crisis has not gone away. It’s a problem, but so are other substance use disorders, including using unhealthy use of alcohol. With proper treatment, people with substance use disorder can recover and it’s the job of a physician to help the reconnect with purpose and prosperity, says William Cooke, MD. Physicians need to recognize that basic human needs – transportation, housing, a livable wage, and more – all contribute to individual and community health. He described his experiences in his book, “Canary in the Coal Mine: A Forgotten Rural Community, A Hidden Epidemic, and a Lone Doctor Battling for the Life, Health, and Soul of the People.”