In many cases, that's true. My wife and I have had a number of experiences that tell me that opioid medication has a place in providing relief from both minor and major suffering. My wife had fairly extensive bone mets from breast cancer a few years ago, with (as you can imagine) considerable pain. Offered oxycodone she initially refused to take it, for fear of addiction. I recall her telling the oncologist about her concern. His reply was to give her an astounded look and say, "You've got cancer." So she took the pills, got blessed relief, and found that she had no trouble limiting herself to the prescribed dosage. When her treatment kicked in and she no longer was in pain, she simply stopped taking the pills.
For my part, I suffered an aortic dissection two years ago. The pain, of course, was intense. Part of the initial treatment was pain relief with morphine, not only the obvious reason, but to help keep my blood pressure down. After eight or nine days, the pain lessened, and I requested to be switched to Tylenol, which at that point worked very well, so long as I was lying in bed. They sent me home with a bottle of Percocet, which I used only on select occasions when I had to be mobile for an extended period of time. On all other occasions I used Tylenol to relieve the pain, which persisted for another two months.
Earlier this year I had an umbilical hernia repaired. A simple operation, but one that left me with quite a bit of discomfort for about four or five days afterward. I must say, after the event, that I was quite grateful for the little bottle of oxycodone the surgeon prescribed me. In that case, Tylenol would not have done the trick.
We Americans, once we set our minds on something, are very good at pursuing it to its logical end. I hope, in the present case, we don't pursue a solution to the opioid "epidemic" to the point where people who have a legitimate need for these remarkable drugs are unable to get them, or must jump through impossible hoops to do so.
I'm reminded of the Reverend Crisparkle in Charles Dickens's "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." Confronting that bumptious blowhard, Reverend Honeythunder, a rabid temperance advocate, he heatedly observes, "Another time, in another of your undiscriminating platform rushes, you would punish the sober for the drunken. I claim consideration for the comfort, convenience, and refreshment of the sober; and you presently make platform proclamation that I have a depraved desire to turn Heaven's creatures into swine and wild beasts!" [My italics].
I do not see addiction to pain meds, when they’re used for acute pain, and they stop when the pain stops.
This is a complex issue. People take pain meds for a wide variety of reasons, not related to their pain.
You also have genetic issues here as well. A family history of addiction may be a big factor. Interesting that Trump has never had a drop of alcohol. Very interesting. He even said, that if he started he’s be the best at it.
Represents a keen understanding of addiction, but he saw it first hand.
The use that you describe is really very normal. Most people take the meds, many times not all, and they stop. The bottles may still be in your cabinet half full.
OTOH, there are people out there who are really dependent on these meds, and they’re prescribed like water to them.
Trust me, I’m not pointing a finger at the patient, not even the doctor who is seeing 30 to 40 patients per day, and it’s easier to renew a pain med, than to look at getting them off. I’ve been there trust me, esp older patients. The really get upset if you don’t renew their pain meds.
There’s a place for pain meds, but there is wide spread abuse of these drugs... That’s the bottom line.