Painkiller pill paradise

 There are many people out there with serious pain. Yet, there are just as many people abusing painkillers, to the point of being addicted to them.

Painkillers are prominent everywhere, from your average person, to the elite athletes. I am writing about this, because a close person has problems with these painkillers.

We all have taken some sort of painkiller. They are readily available at your local pharmacy. From headaches, to body aches, we have all taken them, so have I. For serious injuries, I have taken aspirin with codeine( available here in Canada, behind the counter, no prescription necessary) The codeine dose is quite low, but can be “happy candy” for those needing their next “hit”. I was given morphine pills by a doctor, when I went to the hospital walk-in, when I had severe lower back pain  many years ago. My point is here, they are easily available, and sometimes dispensed like candy.

I always read about elite athletes who ahve gotten hooked on painkillers. I thought to myself: ” how the hell does one get hooked on those?!”. Now, having to deal with someone close to me, who has this problem of being addicted to them.

Many elite athletes use painkillers to continue their pro career. The problem is, that by using them over the years, they actually become addicted to them. I’m not talking about your Tylenol or Aspirin, but the “hardcore” pescription painkillers here.

I did some research on these pescription painkillers, and some are really hardcore. Anti-inflammatories are included, but they  also contain opiates or barbituates to relax and ease the pain. These opiates are the ones that people end up addicted too.

There are poorer areas here in North America, that have people addicted, not to crack or heroin, but to certain painkillers. There are certain painkillers that instantly relieve ones pain, but they are way too good. One can get a “high” with them. That’s the trap.

There are many difficulties with dealing with a painkiller addiction. First off, its legal. If one would try to buy a hit of heroin, one is committing an illegal offense. But if one takes painkillers, thru a prescription, no problems. But this is a problem. There are loopholes. One could have different doctors (best example,walk-in clinics) and get several prescriptions for the same painkiller. From there, one can go to different pharmacies and get the same pills. These pharmacies are companies and act apart from each other, and don’t share info. So, get different prescriptions, go to different pharmacies, space the time out between each doctor and each pharmacy, and one could get painkillers for life..legally.

Another difficult issue is that  we are dealing with pain. Its difficult to be in pain, and worse to see someone ,especially someone close to you , in pain. Cause and effect. One takes the pill, one feels better. I understand. When I have severe pain, I’m bitter and get angry easily.

So, its easier to get away with it. If one sees someone constantly drinking booze, we think he’s an alcoholic.Its hard to defend it. If one takes painkillers, one can easily defend oneself that they are in constant pain ,and “you wouldn’t understand how much pain I have!”

Whose to blame? The person, society, the pill makers? First of all, I truly believe we are responsible for our own actions. Stop blaming someone else. Look at oneself. You are taking them. Admit the problem and seek help. There are good people out there to help those who need it.

I also blame the great western medicine (yes, there are great things that come from it) but also bad. We seem to hold to much faith in it. Some of these pills for many illnesses are way too powerful, that they cause other medical problems. As for the pill-making companies, yes, they do make life saving pills, but we must not forget, they are companies and do want to make money.

Alternative medicine might be a nice solution. I love the name “alternative” medicine; this was what people were using for many, many years, before the “science” came in. Many people think its crap. Yes, there is crap on both sides. Just as I’ve been to horrible acupuncturists and chiropractors, I’ve been to terrible medical doctors. It took some time, but I found a great acupuncturist and chiro, as well as a great medical doctor. Just like some natural remedies, some work for me, and some don’t. But please don’t judge it because its not Western medicine.