What the Columbine Shooting Taught Me About Pain and Addiction

Explore the profound insights of Columbine shooting survivor Austin Eubanks in this powerful TEDxMileHigh talk. Delve into the complex relationship between trauma, pain management, and addiction as Eubanks shares his personal journey from the tragic events at Columbine High School to his struggles with substance abuse and eventual recovery. Gain a deeper understanding of the current opioid epidemic and how our approach to pain management contributes to the problem. Learn about the concept of posttraumatic growth and discover potential solutions to address the addiction crisis. This thought-provoking presentation challenges conventional wisdom on pain treatment and offers a unique perspective on healing from trauma and overcoming addiction.

Intro
The impact of traumatic events
The Columbine shooting
The American Pain Society
The Ethical Dilemma
Addiction
Emotional pain
Pain management
The addiction epidemic
What we can do
Posttraumatic growth
Conclusion