Recovered alcoholic here, 23+ years sober.
I have witnessed just about every scenario, for drug and alcohol folks.
The truth is some people simply cannot handle their use.
In my not-so-humble opinion, the medical profession places too low of a priority on managing a patient to get off pain meds.
Patients that are cut off from prescription meds, can get heroin or street meds fairly easily.
By then they aren’t “patients,” but rather addicts.
Obamacare has included substance “treatment,” so they are often swept into professional care, rehab, housing, treatment. But this is mainly coming in place of hitting an horrific bottom, under olde skool times.
So people wind up getting rescued from themselves, only to restart the cycle.
Really bad consequences, which used to teach folks about better living practices, have been largely removed from life.
By then they aren’t “patients,” but rather addicts.
Bingo!