I don't know anyone addicted to Opiods....

although I probably 'do' and I'm just not aware of it.

I know a couple of people who have 'permanent' prescriptions to pain killers... not sure what kind. Neither is addicted. I remember some time back I was suffering an embarrassing condition.. lets just say it was 'butt' related. We had a band gig... I'm a drummer... I sit on a rock hard drum stool all night.... I was in agony.. severe agony. I mentioned this to another band member telling him I didn't think I was going to make it thru the night.

He offered me a pain pill. I don't know what it was... this was in the 80's so whatever was in vogue then, I guess. I accepted the pill... now here is the 'weird thing' about that... it did NOT take away the pain... but it DID make me not care that I was in pain. Yeah, doesn't make sense does it? Never the less... tis true.

Not that many years ago I had to have my gums scrapped.... one of the most painful things I've ever gone thru.... they gave me pain medication, (again, I don't know what kind).... and those helped...a LOT.

Not too long ago... was it this year? I think it was. beginning of the year.... I got 'swimmers' ear.... extremely painful and they gave me pain medication. I took 2 pills and stopped... here's why:

You now know my 3 experiences with pain medication, (unless I'm forgetting another time or two)... and I HATE how those things make you feel. I know, I know.. most people say they make them feel 'great'... not me... I despise that feeling. And no, I'm not allergic to them... I just don't like them.

My guess on the Opiod epidemic is this... if it's at Western Colorado... it's everywhere. Probably close to every college in the nation. Bad, bad, bad news, that. - JamesJM