The start of Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial in Delaware this week underscores a sobering aspect of American life that transcends partisan politics: a nation grappling with addiction. While opinions on the criminal case involving the first song may vary, the trial highlights a widespread issue affecting millions across the country.
Hunter Biden pled not guilty to charges of illegally purchasing and possessing a gun while abusing or being addicted to illicit substances, a violation of federal law. The jury selection process for the trial touched on personal experiences with drugs or alcohol abuse which led to emotional testimonies from prospective jurors, many of whom described how addiction had affected their lives or the lives of those close to them.
“Have you, a family member or a close friend ever suffered from drug or alcohol abuse, or been addicted to drugs or alcohol in any way?” asked the judge. One potential juror described their daughter’s struggle with addiction, indicating that after recovery “everybody needs a second chance.” Another prospective juror said their childhood best friend had died from an overdose of heroin.
“I have lost many friends to drug overdoses,” said yet another potential juror. “I feel it’s an everyday part of the world these days.” Recent data from the RAND Corporation found that about 42% of U.S. adults know at least one person who died from a drug overdose.
Among these adults, the average number of lives lost known to them was two, highlighting the extensive reach of the Nation’s overdose crisis. According to the CDC, more than 100,000 Americans died of a drug overdose between May 2020 and April 2021. About 75,000 of these deaths were due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Changing the Way We Discuss Substance Use
Hunter Biden’s trial is also raising awareness about the language used to describe substance use. Medical experts and advocates urge the abandonment of stigmatizing terms like “addict” in favor of more respectful language such as “people experiencing addiction.” Partnership to End Addiction emphasizes that addiction is a disease and should be framed as a health issue, respecting those with addiction and their families, just as with any other disease.
Dr. Andy Mendenhall of Central City Concern, an Oregon-based treatment and outreach organization, stressed that addiction impacts individuals across all communities, political affiliations, and socio-economic statuses. Factors like multigenerational poverty, mental illness, depression, anxiety, job loss, and trauma all contribute to why individuals may turn to substance use.
Law enforcement officials also highlight the importance of understanding and nuance in addressing addiction, with a growing movement of officers advocating for a compassionate approach that transcends political divides and focuses on the lives at stake.
The Road to Recovery is Not Linear
Hunter Biden has been open about his struggles with addiction, detailing his journey in his memoir, “Beautiful Things.” His descent into substance abuse followed the death of his older brother, Beau, in 2015. Biden credits his second wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, with helping him achieve recovery. His father, President Joe Biden, has also publicly supported him, acknowledging his son’s efforts to overcome his addiction.
Hunter Biden has found solace and purpose in painting, describing it as his meditation and a crucial part of his recovery. Sometimes, he paints for eight hours a day and has produced numerous works displayed in galleries. His love for art, he says, has been a miracle that helped him stay sober.
Remarking on his recovery journey, Hunter said, “You have to believe that you’re worth the work, or you’ll never be able to get sober. But I often do think of the profound consequences of failure here.” Hunter sites June 1st, 2019 as his soberversary, marking 2024 as five years of recovery for him.
Hunter feels that his first responsibility for himself and his family is to “make it through that fight clean and sober, and I feel a responsibility to everyone struggling through their own recovery to succeed.”
“Maybe it’s the ultimate test for a recovering addict — I don’t know,” Hunter Biden said. “I have always been in awe of people who have stayed clean and sober through tragedies and obstacles few people ever face. They are my heroes, my inspiration.”
Call 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It provides free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people in suicidal crisis or distress. You can learn more about its services here, including its guide on what to do if you see suicidal language on social media. You can also call that number to talk to someone about how you can help a person in crisis. For crisis support in Spanish, call 1-888-628-9454.
For support outside of the US, a worldwide directory of resources and international hotlines is provided by the International Association for Suicide Prevention. You can also turn to Befrienders Worldwide.
Help is Available
If you or someone you love is living with substance use, alcohol misuse, a co-occurring, or a behavioral health disorder, there is hope. The Break Free Foundation aids individuals seeking recovery through the Break Free Scholarship Fund. It sends anyone who lacks the financial resources to attend a recovery center to do so at low to no cost.
Review our Treatment Locator Tool to find the right program near you, as well as our list of Hotlines and Helplines. Click here for a list of regional and national resources. On this road to recovery, no one is alone. We are all in this together.
