[Susan]

Epidemic isn't always pertaining to disease. Buy a dictionary. Learn something.

[Bletch]

Wasted life. Cambodia isn't a good place for westerners.

[Sharon]

"Woke up on my bathroom floor like 3 hours later" - no you didn't

[eyeful_hound]

Cambodia? Oh yea, he definitely got into some "China White"

...as that plunger pushed in I was out Woke up on my bathroom floor like 3 hours later.

Fentanyl - She's a bitch!

[philovan]

Originally Posted by slyksleevemuckyey ↗

Epidemic isn't always pertaining to disease. Buy a dictionary. Learn something.

I can see that this will be a useless argument since we are proceeding from fundamentally different perspectives. Nevertheless I will make my point clear, even though I don't expect to convince you. The dictionary argument doesn't gain traction for me because I oppose, in principle, the alteration of traditional word meanings in the service of this or that "cause". In this case the cause is to find excuses (to "medicalize" - to coin a word of my own) morally objectionable behavior so as to substitute sympathy for blame when people engage in it. (So and so has a "disease", regardless of the fact that the definable physical/medical condition is self inflicted). Thus "epidemic" is, as you note, widely used nowadays in such contexts. To this extent your point is correct. I am objecting to the underlying social attitudes that permit such, to my point of view, distortions of word meanings for "political" (widely defined) purposes.

[zeb247]

I've had a lot of problems in my life but I'm really glad I never got into any drugs. Shit will kill you every time.

[panugato]

Addiction or substance abuse disorder has a DM5 code. It is also billed with ICD-10 codes to insurance, etc. You are entitled to your opinion. However, you clearly do not understand the mind of the addict and the things that push them to drugs. In my experience there usually is some type of trauma (whether you judge that it is or isn't is besides the point) that the addict feels that they must obliterate the emotional pain or pain in general. Self medicating if you will. Please just see the many sides of addiction before you JUDGE others. I hope that (whatever you follow religion wise or not) your loved ones are never effected by this. It's terrible. The feeling to use is horrible and guilt/shame just add to the need to quiet said feelings.

[panugato]

Originally Posted by philovan ↗

I can see that this will be a useless argument since we are proceeding from fundamentally different perspectives. Nevertheless I will make my point clear, even though I don't expect to convince you. The dictionary argument doesn't gain traction for me because I oppose, in principle, the alteration of traditional word meanings in the service of this or that "cause". In this case the cause is to find excuses (to "medicalize" - to coin a word of my own) morally objectionable behavior so as to substitute sympathy for blame when people engage in it. (So and so has a "disease", regardless of the fact that the definable physical/medical condition is self inflicted). Thus "epidemic" is, as you note, widely used nowadays in such contexts. To this extent your point is correct. I am objecting to the underlying social attitudes that permit such, to my point of view, distortions of word meanings for "political" (widely defined) purposes.

And I am not asking you to sympathize but try to understand.

[DrRelease]

Originally Posted by philovan ↗

There is no such thing as a opiate epidemic. This is entirely a media fiction. The statistics on overdose deaths are irrelevant here since it is a conceptual issue. An epidemic is a widespread outbreak of a DISEASE. Self inflicted behavior is not a disease. Describing it as such is nothing more than a pathetic, whining attempt to avoid blaming people for their voluntary destructive behaviors. Yes, at some point it can get beyond voluntary for the addict, but it begins there in all cases.

I feel like you just jacked it and ejaculated all over the computer screen and the spermies dripping down your screen is what we all get to read.

Most druggies are unbearable even if you get past the curtain of "drug user". Then again, most people are unbearable. Why do you think we have doctors, a pharmacy companies, regulations, FDA, etc? Shit we even had to put regulations on food handling because it does not come to us "naturally", so we have to learn those things. I, personally, never had to be taught how to swim, but can swim very well; if you visit here enough, you know most people live on a planet that is 76% water and can't even so much as float on water or doggie-paddle. People know jack-diddly and those who flaunt what they know, know nothing.

[stillfeelchill]

Who cares. One less devil to destory the world lol ^5