In a recent article in the Huffington Post, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, of Jersey Shore fame, opened up about his battle with prescription drug addiction. During his stint on Dancing with the Stars, Sorrentino suffered an injury for which he was prescribed a medication. Over time though, he admitted that the drug began to take a hold on him, coming to a head while he was in Australia last year and he realized "I couldn't even get out of bed. If I can't do that, how am I going to continue?"
Sorrentino became popular when the MTV reality show, Jersey Shore, hit the airwaves in 2009. The show depicted Sorrentino and a host of other cast members spending a summer in Seaside Heights. The outrageous antics taking place on the show and the borderline ridiculousness of the personalities brought the show (and its cast) considerable popularity and controversy.
Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino. Image from austincarty.com
Any parent familiar with the show can probably spout off a whole list of reasons why the cast of Jersey Shore, Sorrentino included, are not the ideal role models for their kids. Any New Jersey resident can talk for hours about how the show doesn't accurately depict the "real" New Jersey and cringe whenever they people say it does. And I would agree with those statements. But what Mike Sorrentino did after he realized his addiction problem is commendable: he sought help.
According to the Huffington Post article, Sorrentino is seeking help for his prescription drug addiction by attending counseling and taking a different drug that doctors prescribe when dealing with patients battling abuse. He tells us that there is help for those who need it.
It has been a major objective of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey to stem the increasing prescription drug abuse problem that has gripped our state and our country. There are far too many people who found themselves in Sorrentino's situation (no pun intended) who are unable to climb back out. In order to fight back against this epidemic, the American Medicine Chest Challenge was formed to give people a place to put their unused or unwanted prescription drugs and have them disposed of safely. The aim is to have a prescription drug drop off box in every police station across the country.
Getting these drugs off the streets and away from our kids will go a long way in curbing the prescription drug epidemic. Celebrity success stories and awareness brought from Sorrentino and his battle will inspire those who might be addicted to get help. We can end this issue, but it's going to take all of us working together.
Mr. Sorrentino: I don't like your show but I wish you all the best in your recovery and thank you for shining a light on this issue.
For more information on the American Medicine Chest Challenge:
http://www.americanmedicinechest.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americanmedicinechest
Twitter: @AMCChallenge