The family had been struggling with Eddie’s addiction for a long time. Drug abuse cripples the American population. People who suffer from addiction compulsively seek their high, and their behaviors have rippling effects on friends and family as well. Cocaine is one of the most commonly abused drugs, yet currently there are no medications available to treat ongoing use, relapse, or acute emergencies involving overdose. However, there may be hope. Charlie remembered a study he read about being conducted at the University of Chicago. Researchers there have found a way to protect the mice they use as test subjects from cocaine overdoses as well as curb their cocaine cravings.

This could be a cure for Eddie. The study said that mice with the grafts could potentially be ‘immune’ to further drug abuse. But would Eddie even want to become clean forever? Charlie wondered if he could force the treatment on his brother. Would Eddie then turn to another drug for his high? While Charlie was desperate for a successful treatment, he could see that this breakthrough was still only a Band-Aid for Eddie’s addiction.