Thread by @SpeakPain2Power

What’s the deal w/ people in #pain using #opioids? (Read entire thread.) We are not “drug addicts.” We are physically DEPENDENT on our meds, which we need to function w/out pain (i.e, to function). Physical dependence occurs on heart meds & #antidepressants too. #ThisIsUs

And I am not trying to stigmatize #addiction here. But rly, let’s talk; chronic pain patients (#CPPs) have been forced to KILL themselves due to untreated pain, due to bad #policy, due to the #stigma, foolishness & financial incentives of others. This has a name: opiophobia…

If you took me off ALL opioids, I (like most #painpatients) would go through ugly opioid #withdrawals (and make sure to poop/puke on YOU for causing them)! 😂

And even after months of “abstaining,” and withdrawals disappearing, I would be “clean” in the eyes of the world, but…

…I would still have physical — often debilitating pain. I would not feel “clean.” I would lay around in bed, suffering, “opioid-free” for NO GOOD REASON WHATSOEVER (other than to make ignorant “others” — who don’t have to be ME — feel “comfortable”…I guess…)..?!

Know this, however: Even the @samhsagov definition of an “addict” is someone who cannot fulfill life functions due to substance use, and is harming themselves (and often others) through their drug, #alcohol, etc. issues. (Many sneak around/lie to hide their use too.)

There have been many recent campaigns by #corrupt companies & #ableist hysterical fools to change this definition of #addiction to “anyone who takes high doses of opioids,” but that is NONSENSE. (Folks may titrate up slowly after years of use to make sure the meds are effective…

…and these pain #patients are perfectly safe doing so, particularly under their doctor’s care. They follow doc’s orders.

In short: Addiction is a whole ‘nother ballgame, and in the VAST majority of cases (studies have proven) completely unrelated to pain treatment.

Folks in terrible 24/7 pain aren’t using opioids alone to manage the pain. We’ve almost ALL tried #PT, #chiropractors, #injections, a ton of other #meds, #NerveBlocks & the always-recommended #yoga. (Seriously, plz stop telling ppl w/ pain bad enough to warrant opioids to yoga.)

Me? I’ve been able to organize a #bedroom closet that looked like a bomb dropped AND plan my daughter’s #birthday party today due to #painmeds, which many docs REFUSE to prescribe now, even to patients in 24/7 pain! My pain wasn’t 100% gone, but it was MUCH more manageable. O

If you can organize a closet without pain meds, and you’ve blamed modern #prescribing practices for any #OpioidCrisis (which is, all studies and #NewsUpdates reveal, driven by illicit #drugs — and often counterfeit ) then PLEASE, #CheckYourPainPriviledge !!!