Susan Bartz Herrick Mother Author Slow Dancing with the Devil

Susan Bartz Herrick Mother Author Slow Dancing with the Devil

Imagine watching your child spiral into addiction, feeling helpless and desperate. That's the reality Susan Bartz Herrick faced with her son, Luke. In this episode of 'The Addiction Podcast - Point of No Return', host Joanie Sigal sits down with Susan, a retired professor and mental health specialist, to share her deeply personal and heartbreaking journey. Luke's struggle began after a near-fatal car accident left him partially paralyzed and dependent on OxyContin.

The medication meant to save his life instead ensnared him in a web of addiction. Susan's story takes a dramatic turn when she finds herself on the streets, procuring Suboxone to try and save her son. She poignantly recalls, 'The day I became my son’s drug dealer, we both died, in a way'. Through her memoir, 'Slow Dancing with the Devil', Susan sheds light on the rampant overprescribing of opioids and the societal stigmas that complicate recovery.

Her narrative is a powerful call to action, highlighting the urgent need for better public policies and medical practices. This episode is a must-listen for anyone touched by addiction, offering raw insight into the emotional toll it takes on families and the resilience required to keep fighting.