They Followed Doctors’ Orders. The State Took Their Babies. - Reveal

Medications like Suboxone help pregnant women safely treat addiction. But in many states, taking them can trigger investigations by child welfare agencies that separate mothers from their newborns. This week, we tell the story of one young mother who thought she was doing the right thing by taking her prescription, only to be reported to the state of Arizona and investigated for child abuse and neglect.

kinda wanna take a lethal dose of fent, I'm so confused about my life and where I'm going, everyday is such a burden and I'm so tired, I hate feeling fucking depressed and suicidal cause I feel hopeless about the future. But alas, I keep going everyday. where's my trophy lmao

Probably gonna cave in and say fuck my healing nose piercings and snort my o

dose of fent instead of popping or smoking (can't smoke it rn cause I'm with my grandma atm and she'll notice and smell it even with the windows open) and maybe a fat line of tramadol to chase it and calm me down. (I'm not using alone and I managed to get narcan so I'm somewhat ""safe"") I just need to nod and then everything's gonna feel okay and like a warm blanket. When I'm home full time again I'm def gonna smoke my shit again but snorting is also so nice, the ritual and the pain, the rush when you know you're gonna get high is addicting in and off itself. Ofc shooting up and needles are addicting, but for me whenever I see powder, a card or a straw I instantly feel the urge to cut a line and sniff lmao

court on tiktok

her story of struggling with opioid addiction for ten years to resources that have helped her become housed and working as a harm reduction specialist.

providing information about a new helpline (855 HOW TO QUIT) for people struggling with opioid addiction to connect with other people who have literally been in their shoes

i miss opiates so much, everytime i feel a single emotion, i think of opiates. i don’t wanna feel shit. i just want to get as bad as i can, i want to forget everything.

I bet if I met my 10 year old self met me now, he'd be very confused and wonder what happened to me. All the years of losing friends, being taken advantage of, benders, depression. It's all fucked me up awfully. I'm lucky that I survived an overdose. It's been hard but I'm still here somehow. Somehow.

Opioid Alternatives

Pain, whether intense or mild, brief or chronic, is detected by specialised sensory neurons that relay signals to the brain. When pain is bad or persistent enough to warrant painkillers, opioids are among the most effective at blocking this signal relay. But these drugs are highly addictive and, at high doses, can lower heart rate and breathing to a fatal degree. In looking for safer, non-addictive painkillers, scientists have screened thousands of existing drugs with various uses to find ones that act on sensory neurons (green) to reduce production of a known pain molecule, BH4 (magenta). Cells expressing BH4 appear magenta and/or white. In addition to some drugs with known analgesic effects, researchers found a schizophrenia drug that, at low doses, suppressed BH4 production. If this, or other BH4-lowering substances, can be further developed, it may be possible to have painkillers as powerful as opioids but without the devastating downsides.

Written by Ruth Williams

Image from work by Shane J. F. Cronin and colleagues

Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA and Institute of Molecular Biotechnology Austria (IMBA), Vienna, Austria

Image copyright held by the original authors

Research published in Science Translational Medicine, August 2022

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Submitted via Google Form: Drow (Part 3)

Previous Asks in this Set are Ask One Here and Ask Two Here.

Sorry about the length. So, I established what are the Drow. The salt-loving autotrophes which use techtonic energy without destroying the cave system is thanks to the magic of certain drows to keep the gave structures solid. These autotrophes have a defense mechanism which creates a burning sensation but no actual burn and cuts off endorphines and dopamine in vertebrates. It has therefore no natural predators except for certain species of centipede. However, the drows eat it to add more salt to their diet as well as for it's vitamin C (which they need to consume just like humans do). They use it as a food preservative for lactic fermentation, a food supplement, medicine and as a torture instrument, and they have even partially domesticated it. What effect this would realistically have on culture, being forced to eat something that causes them acute pain and suffering? The Drows can reproduce with other elves but not humans. A biological quirk of elves is that only the oldest son and the oldest daughter are fertile, while the rest are sterile via one of two things: no production of gametes or having a sexuality which is incompatible with reproduction. Their social role is to help care for their nieces and nephews and to help bring more ressources into the "nest". They become fertile when the oldest dies, and only the oldest survivor would become fertile.  Drows are not natural-cave dwellers, and are nocturnal creatures who were forced by persecution into a cave dwelling life-style. In fact, they need moonlight for their wing development, just as other elves. Elves only gain them after puberty, and they painfully pop out around age 20 (which is the age at which they hit puberty). Since drows lack the sunlight for them to develop properly, some are born with a mutation that makes them wingless or they ritualistically cut them as soon as they pop out. Elven wings are very much  unique as they are translucid and rigid as insect wings, but through them are visible human-like nerves, veins and supportive cartilage which would slowly ossify. Some elven races have brown spots on their wings, which is not actual pigment but a mixture of symbiotic algae and capillaries. Elven wings on top of aiding in flight and glide are a secondary sexual characteristic, with male individuals having long, narrow wings useful for long flights while females have shorter, rounder, slightly concave wings helpful for weight lifting (such as the one of a child for example). The part of the back where the wings connect are also an erogenous zone, it remains even when the wings themselves are cut to the base. What would be the cultural implication of them then?

Feral: Content Warning: female genital mutilation mention, discussion of opioid addiction

So between the three asks and some notes you left on our last answer, there is a lot of information - and what appears to be a lot of extraneous information. To cut through all of that for everyone following along, I’m just going to restate the two questions actually within this ask.

What are the cultural implications for a society in which a dietary staple also produces harmful, neurochemical effects?

What are the cultural implications for a society in which limb (in this case, wing) amputation, which may also have a bodily effect similar to that of clitoral circumcision/mutilation, is standard and necessary due to environmental factors?

I think that it is safe to say that the majority of people in this society are going to be really fucked up.

Low levels of endorphins are obviously connected with depression and other mood disorders, and it’s also connected with conditions like fibromyalgia, which has far-reaching effects on body and mind. Depression, anxiety, ideation, and chronic pain are just the beginning of the effects of complete suppression of endorphins for a week at a time. 

The closest real world understanding of what you’re talking about with (1) is opioid withdrawal. Opiates replace neurochemicals like endorphins (endo- from endogenous, “from the body,” and -orphin from morphine), so when we look at withdrawal, specifically cold turkey withdrawal, we can begin to understand the effects. Cold turkey opioid withdrawal, especially without medical supervision but even then, is potentially fatal. Respiratory distress is the most common cause of death during withdrawal, but it’s not the only life-threatening symptom of OWS. Extreme dehydration from the vomiting and diarrhea, seizures, and permanent heart and lung damage can prove fatal and certainly life-altering. If this toxin also affects dopamine production, then you’re also giving the entire population Parkinson’s. Given that your drow already sound like they would be in pretty poor health, this does not sound like it would be a particularly sustainable dietary choice.

To your second question, setting aside the “erogenous zone”/FGM-like quality to the situation because I don’t have the mental space for that, amputation can be incredibly psychologically damaging, no matter how medically necessary, especially during puberty, a time that can already be distressing or even traumatizing. While it’s possible that the prevalence of this wing amputation would lessen the psychological impact as it wouldn’t mark these juveniles out as being physically different from their peers and the adult figures around them, it is quite the recipe for generational trauma and anger.

I think when we give answers like these, there’s the assumption that we’re telling you not to move forward with your idea. On the contrary, I think you have a very good basis for justifying the kind of behaviors that would get your drow labelled as “evil” by outsiders unfamiliar with this desperate, traumatic situation. And if that’s not your intention… that’s okay too. Worldbuilders have to operate on a “You Break It, You Bought It” mentality. You want to screw up an entire society, be our guest. As long as your torture remains in the realm of fiction, no one here is going to judge you for it. However, we’re also not going to tell you that the realistic result is that everyone is going to be hunky-dory. It’s not. Now what you do with that is up to you.

Wczoraj z braku oksykodonu już od kilku dni znowu zajebałem metkat i.v. rano 840 mg kodeiny później strzał z 2 paczek acataru i jeszcze łącznie dorzuciłem 3 paczki acataru, a po jedną paczkę poszedłem nawet o 23:30 do apteki całodobowej 30 min przed zamknięciem, więc w sumie już niecałodobowej, jak kiedyś, bo do 00:00 a przed snem dorzuciłem jeszcze 240 mg kodeiny i 100 mg hydroksyzyny.

started feeling dopesick again so popped fetty and am noddinggg again 🌫️ rly wanna feel like this 24/7!! all of your problems just slowly fade away as soon as it starts hitting you 😌 non addicts will never understand and know what it feels like

— 10/06/2019 10:48 PM

A voice swam against my left ear, pulling me out of my sleep. I rolled onto my back and listened for it closely. It said, "Your life is much bigger than this moment. Your life is much bigger than this man."

What Are Opioids, and Why Are They Dangerous?

Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription painkillers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, as well as illegal drugs like heroin. They are highly effective in relieving pain but also carry significant risks.

Opioids bind to opioid receptors in the brain and body, blocking pain signals and producing a sense of euphoria. However, they also depress the central nervous system, leading to slowed breathing, sedation, and potential overdose.

Opioid misuse can quickly lead to dependence and addiction, as the body develops tolerance and requires higher doses to achieve the same effects. Overdosing on opioids can be fatal, suppressing respiration to the point of respiratory failure.

Opioid addiction can have devastating consequences on individuals, families, and communities, making it crucial to seek professional help and comprehensive treatment for opioid use disorders. Legacy Healing Center in Cincinnati, OH, is here to help.

“Because there is no love you can throw on them, no hug big enough that will change the power of that drug; it is just beyond imagination how controlling and destructive it is.”

Patricia Mehrmann in Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy

Part Three: “A Broken System”

Chapter Eleven: Hope on a Spreadsheet

Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem across the United States and many European countries. From opioids to tranquilizers and stimulants, the abuse of prescription drugs has become endemic. Despite this alarming trend, only one in a hundred people abusing prescription opioids receive treatment.

People often start abusing prescription drugs after using them legitimately. Additionally, some individuals may try someone else's prescription at school, work, or a party and enjoy the effect, leading to abuse. Regardless of how it starts, prescription drug abuse is dangerous and can result in an overdose.

The signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse vary depending on the type of drug used. Individuals abusing prescription opiates may experience drowsiness, confusion, nausea, and constipation, among other symptoms. Meanwhile, those abusing benzodiazepines may appear unnaturally relaxed and drowsy. Other drugs used for similar purposes, like Ambien and Lunesta, have similar symptoms.

It's essential to identify the signs of prescription drug abuse, especially in young people. Some signs include withdrawing from family and friends, being hostile and irritable, and no longer caring about personal appearance and cleanliness.

If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription drug addiction, there is hope. The Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program has been helping people find sobriety for nearly five decades. They offer a comprehensive addiction recovery program that includes the Narconon New Life Detoxification. This program uses a combination of low-heat sauna, a nutritional program, and moderate exercise to help the body flush out stored toxins, leaving individuals feeling brighter, more energetic, and with reduced or no cravings.

Prescription drug addiction is a serious issue that requires immediate attention. The Narconon program can help individuals and their families achieve lasting recovery and sobriety. https://www.narcononeurope.dk/en/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-prescription-drug-use.html

Sublocade = extended release buprenorphine; 1x/month; need to be on 8 mg suboxone before being eligible for Sublocade

Subutex = buprenorphine

Suboxone = buprenorphine + naloxone

Suboxone can be used during pregnancy; requires increased dosing.

Naltrexone injectable = Vivitrol; oral is Revia or Depade; can be prescribed without a waiver; no dependence; can cause withdrawal reaction

Methadone is a full opioid agonist; must be on 30 mg before transitioning to buprenorphine

Clonidine 0.1 mg q6h for sweating, agitation, tachycardia; dicyclomine 10-20 mg qid for abd cramps, hydroxyzine, Zofran, NSAIDs for withdrawal symptoms

Vivitrol requires 7-14 day washout