We imprison people who push politically incorrect drugs, even the ones that help extend the lives of very sick people. We reward people who push politically correct drugs, even the ones that destroy the lives of otherwise healthy people. Soma, hydrocodone, xanax, alprazolam, oxycodone, vicodin, gabitril, methocarbamol, topamax, ambien…You name it, and your doctor will probably prescribe it with no questions asked. Say you need more, and he'll probably give it to you. Tell him you're addicted, and he'll give you even more, or else he'll prescribe some other addictive chemical so maybe you won't mind the first one so much. Maybe he'll refer you to someone else. Maybe he'll just kick you out of his office so he doesn't get in trouble with the alphabet soup. When your husband or wife or child expresses concern about your steady diet of pretty colored pills and gel caps, your doctor will nod knowingly, promise to talk about weaning you off of something, and then prescribe something new. And all the old stuff too.
I know that there are a lot of doctors out there who really care about their patients. However, in my experience, far too many of them care more about their bottom line than about your health. They'll prescribe all the Ambien you want, because it will keep you coming back and your insurance company paying the bills. They almost certainly won't tell you about the voices, the hallucinations, the terrible nightmares, the blackouts, and the miserable lives of the people who try to love you.
The miracles of modern medicine. Ain't it grand?
