Working While Poor and In Pain in the United States

[loyalsister]

18. The stigma gets in the way of effective treatment

Just because a person builds up a tolerance and experiences physical withdrawal symptoms, does not necessarily mean they are in the stereotyped mode of opioid addiction.

I much kinder view is one where not everyone with a physical dependecy is an overdose waiting to happen who must be "cleaned."

If it is managed well, even heroin could be used in a way that alleviates pain and helps a person maintain, at the very least, a tolerable standard of living. Or, maybe even better? It would be so much more productive and helpful to provide guidance for living with a physical dependency rather than demonizing people to a point that gives permission to throw them away and let them suffer.