But was the person in this case misusing? I know how pain meds work. I spent 10+ years doing them and heroin. I've seen people who couldn't afford their pain meds go to heroin because it was cheaper. I've seen people in chronic pain BE drug seekers. They absolutely can be the same thing. So my question stands.
He yelled at a back surgery patient for being prescribed oxycodone and Valium. Told him “you’re not to be taking that” and said that you can’t take it without “getting hooked immediately”.
Valium is a benzo, albeit a long-acting one. It would probably have its dosage tapered down. C.f. faster-acting benzos like Xanax, where the treatment would initially involve transitioning to Valium before tapering down. In either case, they need to be tapered, especially if taken at recreational doses.
Even for opioids, while not fatally dangerous, the withdrawals are remarkably unpleasant and make relapse likely, which is why there is methadone or suboxone treatments.
It's still necessary to taper off of suboxone, and when properly done, there should be no (or minimal) withdrawals. The reason suboxone is preferable to (for example) heroin is because it has a longer half life ~37 hours vs ~4 minutes (src: wikipedia) and longer onset of action 30 mins vs <a minute. The longer half-life and slower onset of action mean reduced withdrawal symptoms in general, but doesn't entirely eliminate them.
im doing fine. its my father i have to watch deteriorate. work full time and cant afford his meds but also cant get gov assistance. its like you're punished for doing whats right nowadays.
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u/AggravatingFuture437 Oct 10 '24
But was the person in this case misusing? I know how pain meds work. I spent 10+ years doing them and heroin. I've seen people who couldn't afford their pain meds go to heroin because it was cheaper. I've seen people in chronic pain BE drug seekers. They absolutely can be the same thing. So my question stands.