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I actually do have sympathy for people caught up in what ARE some rather inane drug laws. My point so far has not been to claim that our drug laws don't need work - they DO, and a lot. My point has simply been that there is a real and marked difference between prescription drugs for pain and recreational drug use.

I don't buy the "physical pain = spiritual pain" analogy either. I've known people who have great reason to have a ton of spiritual pain but who deal with it with strength and fortitude. They don't let what happened to them -get- to them. In effect, through their religion or simple optimism or whatever, they don't -feel- that kind of pain. Spiritual pain is one that one can cure oneself. Physical pain cannot be escaped no matter how hard you wish or how good your attitude is - it is relentless and inescapable by any other means.

Qwinn

I don't buy the "physical pain = spiritual pain" analogy either.

All addicts are spritually sick period. prescription or otherwise. They live a fear based life. The only true cure for a true addict/alcoholic is a spiritual experience. They must change at a base level. They must realize their powerlessness in all areas of their life.

Being an alcoholic/addict is a blessing if you get help.

Spiritual pain is one that one can cure oneself.This is not so in some cases. Spiritual pain (depression) can have a phisiological cause. I know -- I suffered from severe depression throughout childhood, high school and college, even though I was raised in a happy home. I finally stopped trying to heal through my own strength, I stopped trying to numb myself with binge drinking, and asked God to help me -- and the next day I found it in me to call a therapist. The therapist said it was extremely unusual for someone as depressed as I was to seek help without outside intervention. But I had intervention...from God. They prescribed Zoloft to correct my physical deficiency of seratonin, and my life changed on that day.

I was fortunate. I know too many people who try to heal their pain with drugs -- it's not always done on a lark. My point is that some depression *is* a physical illness, and can only be healed through medical intervention. People who don't realize this and try to self-medicate deserve just as much sympathy as people who get addicted b/c of physical pain.