We need to quit blaming doctors for opioid problem

By Lethbridge Herald on July 13, 2022.

Editor:

I can remember clearly entering my doctor’s office years ago to renew my opioid prescription. I had been on opioids for 18 years and this was a regular thing that occurred when the prescription ran out. One of the first things my doctor asked was how was my pain.

 I remember saying it seemed better. His reply was perhaps we could then cut back on the amount I was taking! My heart skipped a beat and I remember panic setting in! He said what was my pain level now (out of 10) I realized then, I better lie because if I told the truth, he would reduce my medication. I had to think quickly so I said that overall my pain level over the past few weeks was in fact better but, the last week or so, it had gotten worse or back to where it was prior to the “reprieve.” He then asked if I knew what had brought on the latest bought of pain. I told him no, but that it seemed to come and go but when it came back, it came back with a vengeance. He looked somewhat perplexed and sighed, and signed off on my regular dosage.

I am not an anomaly: most pain sufferers dread going back into intense pain. Fear of losing a pain killer is a preoccupation of pain sufferers!

 I see daily in various papers throughout the world how doctors are oversubscribing, and I am sure there are some that are, but in my over two decades of taking opioids I have yet to meet that person! 

Doctors are not mind readers. If you say your pain is nine out of 10 and they prescribe for it, suddenly they are giving out too many pills! 

If a pain sufferer goes the illegal drug route, then it’s the doctor’s fault for getting him/her hooked! Is their no personal responsibility in this ever? Are we so attuned, dare I say “woke,” that we cannot realize that personal responsibility is what creates a cure, not blame? I now cope with my pain because I know the alternative.

 Start demanding personal responsibility instead of catering to the addict as if they were sucked in by the dastardly medical society who plot against us! It’s a scenario the woke seem to enjoy and of course the addict will cheer them on!

Dennis Bremner

Lethbridge