“...our local VA is spitting out addicts one after the other.”
I think it is medicine in general. Most of us legitimately need pain meds at first. Most doctors are not proactive in encouraging patients to get off them ASAP.
I had multiple surgeries over one year, and no doctor said to me: “be careful, I want you off the meds ASAP, and will help you.” It was quickly clear to me, I could become dependent on narcotic pain meds, without wanting it to take place.
I think many doctors leave it up to the patient to either get themselves off drugs, or to have problems.” There is a “pain” specialty in medicine, but it seems they are prone to use drugs, instead of get you off drugs.
I have read that one of the biggest medical issues is seniors, shut in, and strung out on pain meds. They never thought in all of their years, that they belonged in an AA or NA meeting, but some of them could use it.
Our meeting hall has hosted “pills anonymous” meetings, with good attendance.
So many people both young, old, educated or not are addicts and they just won’t admit it. That’s why admitting to others that you have an addiction problem is such an important step to sobriety. It is the first step and unless you can do it you have little to no hope of sobriety.