I don't see how people can stand to take pain meds long term. I take Hydrocodone when my Sciatic gets pinched and I can't stand but a couple of doses usually. It makes me nauseous. One filled prescription last me several years. But then again I take a med government experts swear will not work after a while, make me crave more, and is a favorite that some like to take with booze thus nearly every doctor is scared to write it. Never had a high, a mellow feeling etc. Say long term Benzo to them and they'll get about the same story as pain killers. FDA is trying to go after them as well but not antidepressants even though Benzo's can not produce a dangerous an adverse reaction known to AD's. For some persons there is no other choice.
I know persons who got addicted to pain killers. Most suffer from Chronic Pain due to a serious injury or serious illness which medical science can not cure. People are surviving traumas today the even twenty years ago usually meant death but now will mean life long pain to some degree. Thus an increase in usage among the population.
Do dangerous meds need to be given very cautiously? Yes most meds should even ones considered safe or safer. Should the federal government be the one too decide who gets what? No.
Another issue that has brought this about the government nor insurers will ever admit too. Not so long ago even minor surgeries meant usually a three day hospital stay. The hospital controlled the medications. Pain was addressed before discharge occurred. Not many persons left the hospitals with meds much stronger than OTC pain meds or first step prescription meds. Pain management before discharge was taken much more serious before the patient could leave. Today most surgeries are done in clinics in and out in four hours or less. As a result strong pain med prescriptions are taken home. The doctors to get prior approval have to say one day surgery in some cases, do it at a hospital outpatient venue, & then justify holding the patient overnight.
Today thanks to the feral government getting cold and allergy meds now puts you on The Watch List and they still aren't satisfied. Now they are pushing for prescriptions for that as well. But yet on the word of a teacher a school system can insist parents take child to a quack to give a kid Ritalin even though he likely doesn't even need it or have ADD ADHD. ADD ADHD if you believe the government is almost epidemic. I think it's something else called C.A.P.D. and Ritalin won't help. Nor will school be given extra funding for C.A.P.D. as they do Ritalin. IOW if the government insists on something it's all fine./sarcasm
I can remember when Formula 44 Moms poured down kids had Codeine in it and the darn stuff actually worked. I don't think any child became a Codeine addict or alcoholic from cough syrup yet by golly booth are no longer active ingredients. Formula 44 more or less replaced the Hot Toddy in homes as a medication.
The FDA is the main reason medications research is not happening and safer meds not developed. The average medication takes a decade to get on the market. FDA was the one believe it or not who told Dr Pepper bottlers they could not use the Motto "Good for Life" on their drink bottles back in the early 1960's.
Everyone reacts a little differently. However, as a rule, long term chronic Benzodiazepine use is way more dangerous then narcotic use. People who withdraw from narcs may FEEL like they are going to die, but they won’t. Vomiting, anxiety, sweats, diarrhea, muscle aches, intense cravings yup. None of those can kill kill. People who withdraw from benzos CAN and do die. Intractable seizures, delirium, can kill. So if you use benzos daily and decide to stop, I would suggest withdrawal slowly under a doctors supervision.