6 ms·

Anecdata time! I take a prescription medication that is also a controlled substance. I am _supposed_ to check in with my doctor every three months, and am _supp

Anecdata time! I take a prescription medication that is also a controlled substance. I am _supposed_ to check in with my doctor every three months, and am _supposed_ to be subjected to random drug tests to make sure I am taking this med and not selling it. But, due to COVID, I've not had to check in with my doctor since March 2020. I am not sure when the mandatory reviews will start back up again. If I were naughty, I could make a good deal of money selling this substance. This isn't an opiate, but the story could be the same. All sorts of controls and checks flew out the window 18 months ago and haven't returned. Maybe it is contributing. Probably it is the fentanyl though.

rhexs 5y ago
If you don't mind me asking, what kind of drug requires testing like this? Suboxone or something similar? Seems like an invasion of privacy unless is somehow related to rehabilitation I suppose.
- refurb 5y ago
  I'm guessing ADHD medication like dextroamphetamine. Controlled substance agreements aren't that unusual. Usually the patient has to agree to a program and the drug tests ensure it's not diverted.
  - krageon 5y ago
    > aren't that unusual They're unusual in countries where you are treated like a human being.
    - refurb 5y ago
      Most countries it’s much harder to get controlled substances than in the US. I mean, we had a massive opioid epidemic, not sure you know?
      - krageon 5y ago
        Your opioid epidemic is due to your society, not any kind of difficulty (or lack thereof) in procuring something to escape from it.
        refurb 5y ago
        Bullshit. Just look at opioid prescribing in the US compared to say the EU. It’s an order of magnitude higher than Germany (per capita).
        krageon 5y ago
        What point are you making?
        refurb 5y ago
        That the reason why the US has stricter rules around controlled substances is because we have a problem due to overprescribing.
      - jounker 5y ago
        In most countries it’s easier to get controlled substances. In fact, the easier and less risky it is, the lower abuse seems to be.
        PraetorianGourd 5y ago
        There is truth to this. The difficulty in getting prescription opiates does lead some to heroin I’m sure.
      - retrac 5y ago
        Not really. I am surprised at the ridiculous hoops Americans have to go through to get controlled drugs from the pharmacy. Photo ID, special prescription pads for the doctor, a special copy filed off with the federal government... here we just pick up the prescription. As far as I can tell the difference is doctors are just less willing to prescribe opiates here for minor or transitory pain. I've always gotten Tylenol after dental surgery for example. I groan about it but it probably hurts less than a smack addiction would.
- PraetorianGourd 5y ago
  Dextroamphetamine

rhexs 5y ago

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of drug requires testing like this? Suboxone or something similar? Seems like an invasion of privacy unless is somehow related to rehabilitation I suppose.

refurb 5y ago
I'm guessing ADHD medication like dextroamphetamine. Controlled substance agreements aren't that unusual. Usually the patient has to agree to a program and the drug tests ensure it's not diverted.
- krageon 5y ago
  > aren't that unusual They're unusual in countries where you are treated like a human being.
  - refurb 5y ago
    Most countries it’s much harder to get controlled substances than in the US. I mean, we had a massive opioid epidemic, not sure you know?
    - krageon 5y ago
      Your opioid epidemic is due to your society, not any kind of difficulty (or lack thereof) in procuring something to escape from it.
      - refurb 5y ago
        Bullshit. Just look at opioid prescribing in the US compared to say the EU. It’s an order of magnitude higher than Germany (per capita).
        krageon 5y ago
        What point are you making?
        refurb 5y ago
        That the reason why the US has stricter rules around controlled substances is because we have a problem due to overprescribing.
    - jounker 5y ago
      In most countries it’s easier to get controlled substances. In fact, the easier and less risky it is, the lower abuse seems to be.
      - PraetorianGourd 5y ago
        There is truth to this. The difficulty in getting prescription opiates does lead some to heroin I’m sure.
    - retrac 5y ago
      Not really. I am surprised at the ridiculous hoops Americans have to go through to get controlled drugs from the pharmacy. Photo ID, special prescription pads for the doctor, a special copy filed off with the federal government... here we just pick up the prescription. As far as I can tell the difference is doctors are just less willing to prescribe opiates here for minor or transitory pain. I've always gotten Tylenol after dental surgery for example. I groan about it but it probably hurts less than a smack addiction would.
PraetorianGourd 5y ago
Dextroamphetamine