hotcommunist:

anyway with regards to the opioid addiction crisis y’all really need to learn the difference between reliance and addiction, because they’re not the same.

I am reliant on opiate painkillers the same way I am reliant on my epilepsy medication: I take a set amount twice a day in order to function normally. my condition is not curable. physio will not fix it. I do not experience any highs from my painkillers, but I do experience less pain.

this differs vastly to addiction, where the amount you take is not set, may be beyond the safe dose. It will likely cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly, as well as harming your body due to the large doses ingested.

this is why it’s terrifying to hear that restrictions are going to be tightened to the extent that it will be almost impossible to get.

that kind of “reform” will only push people -reliant and addicted alike – to get it from non – official sources, where you don’t know what the fuck is in there. it will make actual addicts less safe and reliant people forced to live in agony.

the way to treat this “epidemic” is to invest in addict help schemes, rehab centres, and offer a variety of pain management systems, not this stupid blanket ban style thing that politicians are saying for brownie points.

guess that isn’t as profitable though hm.