In modern pain management with opioids physical dependence is nearly universal. While opiates are essential in the treatment of acute pain, the benefit of this class of medication in chronic pain is not well proven.
Clearly, there are those who would not function well without opiate treatment; on the other hand, many states are noting significant increases in non-intentional deaths related to opiate use. High-quality, long-term studies are needed to better delineate the risks and benefits of chronic opiate use. [useless wikipedia article, damn]
Now, please note, we're not talking addicts here, merely chemically dependent people who accidentally hurt themselves sometimes. ADDICTS are people who are chemically dependent and oblivious to the harm they do themselves and others, or, perhaps, who ingest drugs (toxins) with no regard for health. (If you are so stupid you don't know the meth is hurting your teeth and bones, you're not an addict? maybe?)
There is a second important defining aspect of addiction which is this: the dose increases due to tolerance. Need more to achieve same....uh....effect.
I believe this latter piece of the def. is gonna have to go, because there are many highly habit-forming substances available in and out of pharmacies that do not breed a tolerance, yet they become utterly habitual.
And people ingest them with no regard for their own well-being nor that of others.
Take re-fried beans for example.
Bottom line, nobody knows crap about stuff. And not many people really know where to get it.
I have found that a small bag of potato chips ingested before bed improves my sleep (by reducing trips to the bathroom). Oh NO!! screams the nurse. That will raise your blood pressure! And she's right. Every time I get up at night to pee, my blood pressure elevates, not to mention my sleep is disrupted. Salt is bad for you. Only ingest salt if you are prepared to develop a tolerance. Or if it happens to improve the flavor of your broccoli.
Rules and hearts were made to be broken. If it feels good, do it. Then check carefully to see if you broke anything.
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1 comment:
The salt-is-bad-for-you thing reminds me of a cute exchange in a Woody Allen movie that goes like this:
Dr. Melik: This morning for breakfast he requested something called "wheat germ, organic honey and tiger's milk."
Dr. Aragon: [chuckling] Oh, yes. Those are the charmed substances that some years ago were thought to contain life-preserving properties.
Dr. Melik: You mean there was no deep fat? No steak or cream pies or... hot fudge?
Dr. Aragon: Those were thought to be unhealthy... precisely the opposite of what we now know to be true.
Dr. Melik: Incredible.
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