As I celebrated my 58th birthday, a significant milestone marked more than just another year of life; it symbolized a renewed commitment to an opioid-free existence. This decision wasn't made lightly nor without deep introspection about what pain and healing mean in the context of my life.
The racing wreck had many different elements of pain to it; paralysis caused phantom pain, the emotional duress of never being able to drive again was overwhelming, and the headaches coupled with whole-body pain were so overwhelming that I found solace in Morphine.
But once the Sackler brothers produced their Purdue Pharma death trap with Oxy that triangulated the FDA which led doctors astray, and my charming older doctor was misinformed about the potentials for addiction and kept on increasing the dose - well guess what happened? I was addicted.
This period was marked by immense challenges, including multiple fights against cancer, starting in 2003 with a Non-Hodgkin's diagnosis that severely impacted my mobility and quality of life.
I have to admit that to myself because no matter what anyone says about me being 'dependent' - anyone who has used a Heroin drug for 2.5 decades and knows it can kill - taking it as prescribed and also when lousy news hits is an addictive tendency, so labeling myself as an 'addict' isn't that out of range.
When I look back to Oxycodone itself - the drug used to come in 5mg capsules when it first came out, and they were effortless to open. So, you can only imagine what some guy who was the central figure at his frat parties in the coke-crazed 80s might have done with them.
The Decision to Embrace an Opioid-Free Lifestyle
I decided last week that it's been nearly a year of taking that small dose at night, as it's become a massive issue in my mind. When you're spending more time contemplating whether or not to take a medication, then you are working on the next hot topic or an important project for your future business - you know it's an issue, and that was happening.
The Challenge of Withdrawal and the Path Forward
I also feel that people in pain are suffering right now due to the abuse of Opioids and that the provision of pain management is, without a doubt, significantly diluted by doctors afraid to treat. The stigma on opioid abuse shouldn't cloud messages sent to patients, as in December of 2022 and even in early 2023, I needed help beyond what a plant could give me, and I had a hard time.
It seemed like a setup to me; it took three different doctors and a therapist to convince me that I wasn't an addict. Then, to boot, they labeled me in the system as an addict - and de-labeled when I caught it to convince me that It was okay to use what they offered. With a clear mind today, it's safe to say that we all deal with a very evil system.
My story is shared not for sympathy but to inspire reflection and action. The opioid crisis has ravaged communities, families, and individuals, leaving a trail of loss and addiction. By sharing my journey, I hope to shed light on the complexities of pain management, the potential for dependency, and the alternatives that exist for those seeking a different path.
-Mike Robinson, Global Cannabis Educator and Creator of ECS Balance Control, The Researcher OG