WARNING: long and expressive post ahead!
These sentiments are close to my heart.
Most of my substance use and abuse has come from trying to self-medicate because GPs, Psychs, and various people in the medical system are bound to work within strict - and ever changing - guidelines and/or simply don't know what it feels like to live with psychological issues.
I've used ridiculous substances (RCs, dirty street drugs, diverted medications bought for insanely high prices) and put myself through all sorts of stupid situations to get them, and it's all because I just want to live a fairly simple life in my own way, while respecting the rules of the mainstream so as to stay out of trouble. But I have these issues (physical and mental) which I don't really understand, and nobody else does, and I can't even bring them up without the fear of being labelled/registered/stigmatised as some sort of drug-fucked menace who just wants to get high, wreak havoc, and undermine societies core values.
I am so sick of hearing:
"You don't want <medication>. That's addictive."
"It's better just to try getting some exercise and avoiding stimulating activities before bedtime. <medication> is not good in the long run."
"See a psychiatrist" - "I can't afford to" - "Take some (overpriced) herbal remedies, then"
"The X-ray shows that your scoliosis is worse than five years back. You need to do stretches and exercise. Take Panadol Osteo for pain."
"No, <medication> is for old people"
I haven't been able to keep a regular GP for more than a few years at a time due to moving accommodation and doctors retiring, and many clinics that are open during the hours which don't clash with my working schedule are busy places with high turnover where you can almost feel the doctor watching the clock and wondering how to get you out of there quickly so as to clear up this backlog of patients he/she has waiting.
They never ask about what I've done to address the issues and thus don't hear about the thousands of dollars and hours I've put into following nutritionists advice with very specific and expensive diets, going to gyms and working out to build up strength (I've done that on a semi-regular basis for the last decade - it just depends on my work schedule and if I can afford it), the meditation I've done for years, the alternative health plans I've tried...
Very frustrating to be told what you do or don't want/need by someone who doesn't know you and doesn't have the time or inclination to find out.
END RANT%)
These sentiments are close to my heart.
Most of my substance use and abuse has come from trying to self-medicate because GPs, Psychs, and various people in the medical system are bound to work within strict - and ever changing - guidelines and/or simply don't know what it feels like to live with psychological issues.
I've used ridiculous substances (RCs, dirty street drugs, diverted medications bought for insanely high prices) and put myself through all sorts of stupid situations to get them, and it's all because I just want to live a fairly simple life in my own way, while respecting the rules of the mainstream so as to stay out of trouble. But I have these issues (physical and mental) which I don't really understand, and nobody else does, and I can't even bring them up without the fear of being labelled/registered/stigmatised as some sort of drug-fucked menace who just wants to get high, wreak havoc, and undermine societies core values.
I am so sick of hearing:
"You don't want <medication>. That's addictive."
"It's better just to try getting some exercise and avoiding stimulating activities before bedtime. <medication> is not good in the long run."
"See a psychiatrist" - "I can't afford to" - "Take some (overpriced) herbal remedies, then"
"The X-ray shows that your scoliosis is worse than five years back. You need to do stretches and exercise. Take Panadol Osteo for pain."
"No, <medication> is for old people"
I haven't been able to keep a regular GP for more than a few years at a time due to moving accommodation and doctors retiring, and many clinics that are open during the hours which don't clash with my working schedule are busy places with high turnover where you can almost feel the doctor watching the clock and wondering how to get you out of there quickly so as to clear up this backlog of patients he/she has waiting.
They never ask about what I've done to address the issues and thus don't hear about the thousands of dollars and hours I've put into following nutritionists advice with very specific and expensive diets, going to gyms and working out to build up strength (I've done that on a semi-regular basis for the last decade - it just depends on my work schedule and if I can afford it), the meditation I've done for years, the alternative health plans I've tried...
Very frustrating to be told what you do or don't want/need by someone who doesn't know you and doesn't have the time or inclination to find out.
END RANT%)
