That's so interesting about the rats lol.
Honestly opiates do not typically act as an intoxicating substance.. the stronger ones like methadone or pure heroin can, but the effects (especially within the beginning) are almost energizing. They make you a happier individual so it feels as though you can get more work done and be more engaged in life.
Opiate addiction is anything benign--as seen by the monumental amounts of overdosing and the junkies that have behaved like angry alcoholics and have taken down family members with their using. There are plenty of harmless opiate addicts, but plenty of harmful dope-sick stealing ones and manipulative ones. Just as there are those kinds of people for those without a drop of substance-use whatsoever lol. I think the US should educate people more on what drugs negatively have synergies with opiates (like Benzos, alcohol, etc.) and promote overdoses far more often. The US hands the pills out like chocolate and then does not properly leave patients with enough information on the substance because opiates are actually VERY complex in mechanics and potential side-effects. Point is that the US does not treat it's citizens right when it comes to potential addicts and already-made addicts.
Opiates definitely hit key points that no other drug on earth can. They're euphoric, energizing, energy-stealing, relatively physically benign (if you do not overdose), and non-neurotoxic. They also do not blast you off to the moon in a way that makes you dysfunctional for days on end--I've only witnessed that in people with severe heroin use and methadone. Even so, tolerance just gets higher and higher and the functional aspect of a user comes back as tolerance grows. However, opioids are definitely not intoxicating (imo). I'd say that most drugs are short-lived and opiates included. Meth has insanely fast diminishing returns and literally takes away one's insanity in heavy use (they always claim otherwise lol). Cocaine leads to heart failure and other dopamine-related complications. Etc. Opiates lose their euphoria entirely in long-term use and alter hormones negatively/can steal one's will to live. It's just a sad reality that very few addicts have ever been able to sustain any kind of drug-related lifestyle. Even kratom does not have feet that run forever. The effects diminish in time and eventually kratom can become totally unfeelable. I can still feel kratom a lot, but even so the effects are less impressive that's for sure.
I've definitely been intoxicated on opiates, unable to walk without collapsing, slurring, nodding in and out mid sentence. This often occurred with morphine, heroin, and methadone, and without the aid of other sedatives. A few times I really remember it felt like my legs were sludge and it was so difficult to walk (heroin).
Opioid euphoria is also associated with dopamine release; most euphoric states are as far as I know. Long term opioid use likely has a down regulating effect on natural dopamine production and subsequent levels. But you are correct that opioids are not neurotoxic and generally speaking, if not abused, aren't toxic to the body in many ways.
My first opioid experience ever was 30mg methadone and it nearly killed me (NOT SAFE). To this day I am surprised I did not end up in a coma. It was so awful for days, vomiting and spinning, unable to move really. I had no idea what I was doing. The classics newbie mistake... took 2 and didnt feel anything after an hour so took the 3rd, not knowing methadone peaks around 3 hours. Next thing I know I wake up (about 5 hours post dosing) and just start projectile vomiting. I've never been so intoxicated in my life. I was 13 years old and living with my mother.
More than likely the returns will diminish with most substances as you've said. I just dont think it's possible to categorize all substances or one as the most devastating. Of course, there tends to be some main players (opioids, alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine). Though my boy Sigmund Freud was a huge cocaine addict! Lol it's interesting how many historical figures were into opiates and/or stimulants.
I believe dependency can look different, on different people, and with different drugs. For example, I was heavily addicted to black tar heroin and one day found myself smack dab in the middle of a huge methamphetamine ring; you ever see the movie "Spun"?
I used meth daily for about one year, in heavy doses via smoke and insufflation mainly, also oral. It's the one I didnt inject bc my girlfriend at the time wouldn't allow it lol even though we smoked crack and speed daily.
Anyway, meth was the easiest thing for me to walk away from. One day I left and haven't used it again and that was like 12 years ago. I was pleased to be away from it. I didnt break many of my personal morals for methamphetamine. However, this is clearly not the case for everyone.
Opiates on the other hand... they walked me hand in hand all the way to the gutter and nearly death. Every single line I set for myself, I eventually crossed. Every single one. I was incredibly dysfunctional until I had literally nothing. We each have our own demon(s) so to speak.
Kratom has certainly diminished in its effect in the 5 or so years I've been on it. However, I haven't had any physiological issues develop (as of yet anyway) and routinely have medical examinations done. No darkening of skin pigmentation. The withdrawal is intense no doubt and others can corroborate this; Xorkoth being one who has shared strong accounts of kratom addiction akin to my own. I can still catch a good high and analgesia from kratom, just requires a larger amount.
I actually owe Xorkoth a big thanks! I took your advice on the tea method and have been loving it! It's become my nightly routine once the vyvanse (prescribed) wears off studying for hours and hours.
Side note... I was vacuuming the house yesterday and found a 30mg MS Contin stuck under the slider of a closet door lol. It had been there a while as much of the coating had worn away. Score
it was a fun time, but I am happy it is behind me now.
✌
I don't consider cannabis to be a real "drug," but I can see why some do. It does have viable medical uses, and if you're dependent on weed for health effects those benefits will be the most daunting to figure out how to replace. All my friends grew up and stopped smoking so it was a relatively easy decision to make. It had no place in my life anymore. I have yet to actually quit any substance that still benefits my life. The psychological aspect of addiction has to be absent for me personally. It's soooooo hard if not almost impossible personally to quit something that still feels incredible.. I assume you're still dosing kratom? In some ways I feel like kratom and marijuana effects are more similar than people realize! The kratom will definitely help you out with this one. I assume you have to stop from drug tests? So ridiculous that people can binge on meth or heroin and pass a drug test a couple of days later while weed stays in your system for an entire month in some cases. The drug test system also benefits alcoholism which can be one of the most physically taxing/dysfunctional addictions on earth. Ridiculous lollll it just makes me grouchy how marijuana is the least offensive substance on the planet and it is also in some areas of the US one of the most revered. God forbid someone eats too many cheetos and goes on a netflix bender.