U.S. Surgeon GeneralVerified account

You need to treat Chronic Pain as Chronic Pain, not round up chronic pain patients with addicts. We are NOT addicts. I've studied and supported the theory of Addiction as a disease so much that I no longer support it. Every addict I personally know CHOOSES to continue the cycle

I am a chronic pain patient. I take medication only when I really need it, because pain meds can ruin your body over time. I am being held together by a string. I choose not to be a drug addled sick persons. P.S. I keep my depression/anxiety in check.

Taking the substance at first is the choice, but then addiction takes over neuro-receptors and becomes a disease. Prevention education is must be a priority for future generations... beginning in elementary school!

It did, yet addicts choose to keep abusing. I got my education on it in the '90s btw.

except addiction isn't an illness it's a choice to do drugs and drink. it's not somethn you catch

True. Calling it a disease removed personal responsibility and fattens the wallets of doctors. I'm not hating on doctors BTW.

I'm 34 and I've been battling #substanceabuse problems since I was 11 but it didn't become a problem til I was about 16, that's when I developed and everyday all day #heroinaddiction and unless u suffer from #addiction there's no way u could understand.

I do understand about addiction. Stopped a 2.5 year opiate addiction in late 90s when they were giving it like candy. I had things to do, so I dumped everything in the toilet, & locked myself in my room for about 3-4 days. It sucked, but I did it...& had nothing for pain after.