It's too bad the opioid crisis gripping middle America probably won't humble the addicted...

[Locut0s]

I don't mean to lessen the problem but it occurs to me that many of those who are addicted are racist right wing Trump supporters. The most ignorant who actually believed the lies Trump spewed. Those who have lost their jobs and were looking for someone, anyone to blame. Angry, bitter, ignorant people looking for some place to place their anger. They are perfect candidates for becoming drug addicts. I just feel it's unfortunate that so few will be able to see the irony in that some of those they continue to hate with such vehemence they now share a lot in common. Well they have always shared a lot in common of course, if they could see that they wouldn't be racist to begin with. But it just occurs to me that it should now be even clearer.

They claim to hate the poor non white communities that they see as filled with welfare seekers and drug addicts. Well now they are the drug addicts living off welfare. If they could only open their eyes there is such an opportunity here for learning.

[unblock]

1. unfortunately, racism is all about selective sight.

if bigots could focus on the vast commonality in the human condition and recognize all the many things they have in common with all other people, they wouldn't be bigots in the first place.

bigotry is that strange ability to somehow focus on differences -- big or small, real or imagined -- and attribute them to race (or gender, or orientation, or religion, or national origin, or whatever).

the bigot can always find some reason why it is different when it happens to them.

[loyalsister]

2. I expect stereotype laden posts from FB

But don't usually see it here. These drugs came into widespread circulation as a result of having a massive aging population with many who have worked in physically demanding jobs leading to chronic pain, veterans whose injuries have caused chronic pain, and upperclass alcoholics who have found sedative high that impairs them less than alcohol. Middle class youth got started with opioids from those sources. Rx restrictions increased underground costs and heroin has filled much of the demand.

"Drug addicts living off welfare?" No. Welfare has been dead since the 90s.

[tulipsandroses]

3. I'm a black RN in the South that works with addicts

Addiction is a complex thing. Over the years I've treated " the biker gang guy, hairdresser, gay, straight, transgendered, homeless guy under the bridge, the hillbilly, the CEO, many of my peers in the health care field including fellow nurses, doctors, dentists, ( one of my frequent fliers is a pharmacist - he's now lost his license) EMTS, veterinarians, college students, high school and junior high school kids, lawyers, stock brokers, university professors, pastors, entertainers, athletes, housewives, pilots, "rednecks", crips, bloods, vets, police officers, fire men, cashiers, janitors, chefs, gym instructors, teachers, social workers, you name it, I've seen it.


The vast majority of my patients are white- Interestingly, when I have encountered racism, it has come from the well to do suburban folks. Usually the older ones, more so than the folks that come from the rural areas. Sometimes the rural folks are genuinely interested in talking to me. Its almost as if I'm this strange oddity that they become fascinated with. I've had some folks tell me that they have never spoken to a black person before speaking to me. Amazing! But we usually end up having such great conversations. There was one time, one guy who was not happy with me told me that Trump was in power. I understood that to be some sort of threat against me as a black person.



- In the years past, I encouraged many of our frequent flyers to apply for the ACA. Many of them from Trump Country. They have been able to pay for Suboxone, come back for detox after a relapse, get their psych meds, and get the after care they need. Now they worry if they will be able to get Suboxone if Trump et al takes away their Obamacare. Its a shame, they were tricked into voting against their own interests.

Mental Health Issues can also play a part in addiction. Areas with a lot of poverty and economic distress, are more likely to have higher rates of Depression and Anxiety. Mental health disorders may make someone more prone to addiction. In the throes of addiction, people can be very selfish. I've heard some very absurd claims from my patients as to the reason they are where they are. Its mom, its dad, its my husband, the kids, the job, the dog, etc, etc .