# Fuck opioid addicts **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 2, 2018, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988 "2018-02-02T00:18:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/41 "2018-02-02T07:58:39Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Chiropractors cannot prescribe drugs. That’s because they’re scammers. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/42 "2018-02-02T08:44:45Z")
> [@anomalous1](#): > > If they can’t wrap their heads around how they are negatively influencing other peoples lives as a whole or they do it anyway, then I cannot feel sorry for them. Spoken like someone that’s never dealt with addiction, bravo! Asshat. ---
**Author:** ![Disgruntled\_Penguin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@Disgruntled\_Penguin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disgruntled_Penguin)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/43 "2018-02-02T08:50:55Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Opium, perhaps, where it wasn’t known. But it was widely used for recreational purposes where it was known, from Egypt to China. Humans are absolutely great at finding things in their environment to alter their consciousness and we’ve been doing it since before we were Homo Sapiens Sapiens. > > [Drugs in Ancient Cultures: A History of Drug Use and Effects | Ancient Origins](http://www.ancient-origins.net/opinion-guest-authors/drugs-ancient-cultures-history-drug-use-and-effects-006051) > > [http://www.ancientfacts.net/how-serious-was-drug-abuse-in-ancient-times/](http://www.ancientfacts.net/how-serious-was-drug-abuse-in-ancient-times/) > > [Aztec use of entheogens - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztec_use_of_entheogens) I’m aware of this but the poster I was replying to talking about this being a necessary medical thing not a recreational one. I’m saying it’s a humane thing but not exactly necessary medically. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/44 "2018-02-02T09:24:49Z")
Meh… If I have to pop an Immodium tablet out from a blister instead of just opening a container, it wouldn’t make much difference to me. OTOH I see how it would be horrible for those with limited dexterity. I read somewhere (probably Wikipedia), that loperamide was a controlled substance when it first came on the market, but not long after went to OTC status. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/45 "2018-02-02T09:35:19Z")
If you’re using some OTC drug, _buy a lifetime supply while you still can!_ (BTW, chiropractors can’t prescribe drugs [unless they happen to be a MD too of course] but they will typically always know a doctor they can call who will write prescriptions for them.) ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/46 "2018-02-02T09:42:48Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > If you’re using some OTC drug, _buy a lifetime supply while you still can!_ > > (BTW, chiropractors can’t prescribe drugs [unless they happen to be a MD too of course] but they will typically always know a doctor they can call who will write prescriptions for them.) Doctors don’t just write prescriptions for their chiropractor buddies. Doctors aren’t supposed to write prescriptions without having examined the patient. Couldn’t really let that slide. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/47 "2018-02-02T10:51:28Z")
So the OP is outraged at opioid addicts because a person who cannot write a prescription would not write the prescription he wanted? ---
**Author:** ![UCBearcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/77aa72/32.png) [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/48 "2018-02-02T11:35:38Z")
> [@Gary\_Kumquat](#): > > So the OP is outraged at opioid addicts because a person who cannot write a prescription would not write the prescription he wanted? The OP has never been to a chiropractor. I’m the OP who is pissed that drug addicts have caused changes in how I can purchase OTC medications. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/49 "2018-02-02T12:07:56Z")
> [@UCBearcats](#): > > The OP has never been to a chiropractor. I’m the OP who is pissed that drug addicts have caused changes in how I can purchase OTC medications. Truly, this is some grave injustice that you have to open a blister pack now. My heart bleeds for you. How will you ever cope? ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/50 "2018-02-02T13:18:00Z")
> [@Disgruntled\_Penguin](#): > > What have you got against meth heads and crack whores? Setting aside the crack whores for the moment, the government’s attempts to prevent meth heads from falling through Darwin’s Sieve are a real PITA for anyone attempting to buy decongestant medicine that actually reduces sinus congestion. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/51 "2018-02-02T13:35:12Z")
> [@Skypist](#): > > Well, I for one agree with you. Well, it’s not so much the opiate addicts as much as it is the stupid FDA who is trying to take away “my” loperamide, which I have used responsibly and without issue for many years for IBS diarrhea issues. They seem to be operating on the idea that the only legit use for loperamide is traveler’s diarrhea so you only need a few days’ worth of it in one of those annoying blister packs. It’s somewhat like what those of us who responsibly use pseudoephedrine have had to deal with. I can cope with having to show my driver’s license to purchase it, and at least for me the monthly limit is generous enough for my needs (actually, more than but some people use it more often than I do). I can only hope that a similar level of sanity would prevail, or some mechanism put in place so those such as yourself can obtain what you need. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/52 "2018-02-02T13:38:58Z")
This problem and many like it arise because humans insist on circumventing Nature’s laws of “natural selection” and “survival of the fittest”. The fact is that, even if you successfully eliminate one source of addiction, addicts are going to find something else. “They are who we thought they were.” A current example involves teenaged idiots who chew Tide pods because other teenaged idiots dare them to do so. Naturally, according to several vocal groups, it is Tide’s fault because the pods are “so attractive” with their multi-colored packaging when, in actuality, the fault lies with some really stupid people who are way old enough to know better. My feeling is that not a single person in this society should be denied something necessary or simply just useful because emotionally ill or just plain stupid people want to abuse it. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/53 "2018-02-02T13:42:54Z")
Even in the case of illicit drugs, a lot of the people - probably the overwhelming majority - are drawn to them because of some sort of underlying emotional problem. Are we saying ‘Fuck anyone who has an emotional problem’? How about fuck our society for criminalizing self-medication and ruining their lives and the lives of their families, while turning a blind eye to legalized drug trafficking by corporate ‘people’. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/54 "2018-02-02T13:56:13Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Spoken like someone that’s never dealt with addiction, bravo! > Asshat. Couldn’t be more incorrect, you penis napkin. Being addicted doesn’t blind you to the fact you are hurting yourself or others. **No** , it does not. It _can_ fuel a vicious cycle, making it harder to break. If you can’t kick it and are unwilling to at least try, it makes you a selfish person. Never underestimate the brute force of willpower. I speak from experience. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Terrific](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tom_terrific/32/342_2.png) [@Tom\_Terrific](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Terrific)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/55 "2018-02-02T13:56:38Z")
I don’t think switching from loose pills in a bottle to blister packs has anything to do with overdoses, opioid crisis, or any other reason than money. The loose pills are cheap in the bottle and I am betting the price will go up dramatically with individual pills in a blister pack. Instead of paying $10 for 50 pills you will be paying $10 for 20 pills. Profit!! ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/56 "2018-02-02T14:01:02Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > This problem and many like it arise because humans insist on circumventing Nature’s laws of “natural selection” and “survival of the fittest”. The fact is that, even if you successfully eliminate one source of addiction, addicts are going to find something else. “They are who we thought they were.” > > A current example involves teenaged idiots who chew Tide pods because other teenaged idiots dare them to do so. Naturally, according to several vocal groups, it is Tide’s fault because the pods are “so attractive” with their multi-colored packaging when, in actuality, the fault lies with some really stupid people who are way old enough to know better. > > My feeling is that not a single person in this society should be denied something necessary or simply just useful because emotionally ill or just plain stupid people want to abuse it. I absolutely agree. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/57 "2018-02-02T14:09:25Z")
> [@UCBearcats](#): > > I don’t personally have the shits. I hate seeing things removed from the market because fucking irresponsible assholes abuse or misuse them. Shit tablets, cold medicine, lawn darts. You can still buy all of the above: shit tablets, cold medicine, and lawn darts (which were modified to make them safer). You may have to purchase tablets in blister packs and with quantity limitations but no one is stopping you from buying them. You now have to be over 18 to buy robitussin in my state, which is a pain for me personally because I now have to card people and they give me shit about having to show an ID for it, but you can still buy it if you’re an adult. None of this has been removed from the market. > [@UCBearcats](#): > > They may still be available, but they arent freely sold. I have to go to the pharmacy counter, show my ID and get a limited supply. On the upside, though, at least in my neighborhood, we have fewer garages, car trunks, hotel rooms, double-wides, and houses blowing up due to amateur chemistry by meth-heads. My purchasing of Sudafed and its generic equivalent has not come back to haunt me in any way, not even when I was flying airplanes and under the scrutiny of the FAA medical branch. Unless you’re purchasing illegal quantities no one is going to give a damn, scary rumor about “watch lists” are just that, rumors. > [@Clarisse\_McClellan](#): > > My in-laws, both in their 70’s, are both addicted to Oxycodone prescribed by doctors. MIL has rheumatoid arthritis, incurable. FIL destroyed his knee in auto accident as a teenager and has chronic staff infections and chronic pain, incurable except by amputation and he is still mobile. They were prescribed Oxy at least 15 years ago before it was known to be seriously addictive. They are NOT taking it to get high, they are taking it to be able to live with their pain. If they are taking it for pain and are not getting high then _they are NOT addicts_. They may be physically dependent on them, which is a side effect of long-term treatment with any opiate, but that alone does not make them an addict as the term is commonly used . As you mentioned, your FIL came off them once already and if the source of his pain was eliminated presumably he could do so again. One problem is that we don’t have very good solutions for _chronic_ pain. Opiates are really best for acute pain because, as you note, long-term opiate treatment has problems. Yet we don’t want to leave people with severe, chronic pain in agony, either. On the other hand, our society/insurance agencies don’t want to pay for the alternatives that actually can help because they cost money and require the assistance of trained human beings who need to be paid for their work, like physical therapists. > [@kambuckta](#): > > Yesterday the Australian Govt introduced legislation that prohibits the sale of any medication OTC that contains even the slightest trace of codeine. Apparently 100 people per annum overdose on the stuff. Whatever. If you want it, you now need to get a doc prescription. Whatever. It’s been like that in the US for… well, since ever I can remember. Sky has not fallen. > [@anomalous1](#): > > My biggest gripe is with the illicit drugs out of the bunch, and I really do feel immense pity for those who get addicted to the legally prescribed stuff, and doctors should limit or augment it with non-addictive pain relievers or have it closely monitored. And what non-addictive pain-relievers would those be? Many people won’t even consider an ibuprofen or acetaminophen, saying even before they try them that they aren’t strong enough even in the higher formulations. People bitch about the acetaminophen already in many formulations, saying it poses a risk to people who “need” the opiates and it’s done to kill addicts nevermind the actual evidence that combining the two actually does work better and it’s NOT done to hurt the addicts. We have examples of that on this board in multiple threads. I agree that the pendulum is swinging to far towards “ban everything”, but the opposite extreme is no better. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/58 "2018-02-02T14:20:29Z")
> [@anomalous1](#): > > Couldn’t be more incorrect, you penis napkin. > > Being addicted doesn’t blind you to the fact you are hurting yourself or others. **No** , it does not. It _can_ fuel a vicious cycle, making it harder to break. If you can’t kick it and are unwilling to at least try, it makes you a selfish person. Never underestimate the brute force of willpower. **I speak from experience.** What was your addiction that you so bravely battled? Empathy? Just because you (maybe) fought through doesn’t mean everyone can. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/59 "2018-02-02T15:28:47Z")
Some people in this thread really need to spend time with addicts, studying addiction, or maybe just picking up a single goddamn book about the nature of addiction. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988/60 "2018-02-02T15:34:08Z")
Jesus, she’s a MD too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-opioid-addicts/807988.md?page=4)