This really is a fascinating subject and from the different opinions given here, I can see why complete legalisation and distribution of opioids to the general public would probably never happen, it’s too controversial. from the information I gathered here, my personal view is that if we all started taking opioids free of charge and without having to worry about them running out many of us will become considerably less functional. yes, some will be okay and some may perform even better than when they are drug-free. however, as a person who’s never used opioids the impression I got from many users is that being gone opioids chronically can lead to emotional symptoms like apathy and numbness similar to those produced by SSRI antidepressants.
This is why I believe The real approach to drug treatment needs to based on at least these three principles:
1-decriminalisation/not punishing addicts for the use of drugs.
2-in neuroscience orientated approach to treating the biological/chemical components of addiction. they should always be done in consultation with the patient and should be flexible as need and circumstances may change. from what I’ve heard, addiction treatment clinics or strategies can be divided into three problematic types. well, the problematic because of the way they are applied. these are; substitution therapy(use of the same or similar addictive drug to prevent illegal drug seeking), abstinence based approaches and perhaps the least effective long-term, so-called anti-addictive drugs like naltrexone and very rare cases, certain antipsychotic drugs which block the rewards system preventing the drug user from experiencing pleasure. clearly, none of these strategies have done amazingly well, although substitution therapy is probably best for reducing suffering and mental complications.
