I have not read everything here...but current policy is insanity. This is actually not my first post....I have been a member for a while but forgot my old handle so I had to re-register. I originally came on here because after 20 plus years of sobriety (I am an alcoholic....but have not had a drink in 34 years) I decided to smoke pot again. Strangely, I found that I no longer like marijuana and it was incredibly easy to stop. However, I am now 61, a retired competitive bodybuilder but I still work out 5-6 days a week and occasionally I need a pain reliever. I have a ton of injuries but they are manageable....however I have Plantar fasciitis and some days it can be excruciating. On those days, and those days only I might take some Kratom, or at night a Tramadol or 2. It totals out to be about twice a week when I need a little help. I posted up a year or two about this and have had absolutely no problems whatsoever. I might take 2-3 Tramadol in a week, max, and maybe 8 grams of Kratom...max. In fact I take less now than I did a year ago. I absolutely have zero problems with opioids and only take them when needed.
Similarly, I take valium...once, maybe twice a week, max. Maybe once a week I have insomnia and I will take 5-7 mgs and it works great for me. I only do it if I have been lying in bed for more than an hour. I coach a local wrestling club, and at this part of the year I have to get up early on Saturdays. On Friday night I take 1 10 mg Valium so that I can get to sleep early as it is a hectic 10-12 hour day of me coaching (not counting a long drive). So I am taking maybe 2 valium a week.
I had 2 underground sources for these drugs, and now they have dried up, so I am looking into finding a doctor. Well guess what...it seems I have a better chance of flapping my hands and flying to the Moon. Its nuts. Not everyone is an addict. My friend takes 1 or 2 valium a week, has been doing so for years.
Doctors and Politicians are way more concerned about protecting their bottom line (money) than they are about us.