For John, BLUF: How much is too much? Nothing to see here; just move along.
Having just experienced the joys of Laparoscopic Surgery I can attest to the fact that you do get sent home with pain pills and they work, when you use them. And, I live in fear of addiction, although I am told that if you are using the pills for the pain you won't get addicted. All that said, Writer Graeme Wood, in The New Republic, warns us "Drug Dealers Aren't to Blame for the Heroin Boom. Doctors Are."
So, those who find themselves addicted may be our neighbors. Thus, the question of the "Methadone Clinic" in Lowell isn't just about the down and out of society, but also perhaps people we know. A new Puritanism, that condemns the weak, does not become us.
What was it George C Marshall used to say? "Don't fight the problem, solve it."
Regards — Cliff
2 comments:
It would seem that the new Puritanism really wants to condemn someone else other than the weak.....like the doctor. Post surgical pain is one thing, transient pain is one thing, but the pain that evolves from chronic conditions is quite another.
I place the discussion about drugs addicting people to them in the same boat as alcohol making people alcoholics. Both processes are hardly instantaneous, but when one listens to the moral busybodies it would seem that if you drink one martini or use the oxycodone prescription given you by your surgeon, you are in mortal jeopardy of addiction. Balderdash.
It is not the substance, it is the substance taker. You can and do get addicted to all sorts of materials and lifestyle appurtenances. It's just that most of THOSE addictions are, well, okay. Never mind that a person finds that he or she can't retire for the night and sleep soundly without a bowl of favorite ice cream....or a cigarette.....or a sandwich.....or a cup of tea.
I will state boldly that nobody ever became addicted to Vicodin or Oxycontin by taking either for a week or so of post operative pain. One might notice a physiological response from NOT taking them after a prolonged period, just as they would notice a physiological response FROM taking them. But, if you drink coffee, and suddenly stop....you get a headache. Should society condemn you for that?
Pain meds are there for a reason, and the fact that we have people in our midst who intentionally use those meds in ways they were never intended does not mean that those substances are bad and require careful GOVERNMENT administered watching.
I have had chronic pain......and have taken drugs such as Vicodin for several months on end.....and do not use it today.....nor cocaine...nor heroin.....and only the odd martini.
I think what is lacking in our society today when it comes to drug abuse is a strong sense of personal responsibility instead of this tiresome shifting of blame to someone (the doctor) or something (the pharmaceutical) else.
Nice use of "appurtenances"!
"an accessory or other item associated with a particular activity or style of living: all the appurtenances of luxurious travel."
And good comments.
Regards — Cliff
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