One thing I read is that basic TSA security is really only focused on bombs/guns/threats. When you figure how many people travel everyday, you know they don't have time or desire to slow things down with intensive searches. Too many pissed off travelers behind you in line who would be also slowed down. The exception to that, I have heard, is maybe if the x-ray shows a big quantity, like a bag of pills or powder. But hell, I travel with all kinds of bottles of Tylenol and Advil and vitamins, as do many people. Or if you present a suspicious profile. But yes, I also heard that the machines they have are mega sensitive. I don't think they have time to really get in depth with them on TSA security, but I'm always worried about checked baggage.
I don't NEED to travel with drugs because I don't have any addictions (though I do often travel with a bag of good coffee
)but my trips usually involve hiking and backpacking and I like to have something for emergency pain for if I hurt myself remote in the mountains, so I will bring a couple vicodins mixed in with my bottle of Tylenol, which they look identical to except for the markings. Sometimes I bring a Xanax or Ativan (I have an old script for them, they are my emergency stash since I do have an official bottle). But I do end up worrying about it.
One real drag above not being able to bring opiates is that they are so therapeutically useful for travel: good for pain, a cough, and diarrhea (well, and for mood improvement, too
)Years ago, my doctor was willing to write me a script for a bottle of codeine just for travel, but alas no more. And fewer countries allow you to buy them OTC.