prescription pills

The Unfortunate Truth of Big Pharma and the Opioid Epidemic

Dr. Norris Von Curl, II, MD

Dr. Norris Von Curl, II, MD

How many times have you broken a bone or had a tooth pulled and your doctor or dentist prescribed you a drug, something with the name along the lines of Vicodin, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, or Oxycontin? That is but just a fraction of the things that medical personnel around the world will attempt to prescribe you to counter whatever pain it is you’re feeling. Pain killers have been around now for nearly five centuries give or take and it doesn’t seem like they are going anywhere really anytime soon. The sad truth about the topic to this article is that the truth is often sad. Human beings in pain are taken advantage of on a regular basis- and not necessarily by the doctors scribbling the ink onto the pad. It’s the drones at the top that are manufacturing the opiates and benzodiazepines and pushing them into pharmacies and doctor’s offices. Addictions are created every day from seemingly normal people who don’t even necessarily think like alcoholics tend to do. These little pills will take over a person’s mind, body, and soul- leaving them to fend for themselves with a chemical dependency that dictates their every next move and action.

Mind you, of course, that Big Pharma and the pharmaceutical companies running the prescription show were not always in charge of pain relinquishment. It’s no use delving into the topic without knowing a little history on the subject matter. Once upon a time, things were a bit more under control as poppy seeds were just being discovered and various forms of opioids were being tinkered and experimented with. Opium being chewed or smoked was the most commonly used method to conjure up the pain relief being sought. The effects were noted and this went on for some hundreds of years until the 16th century brought about new revelations. Opium was taken and mixed into an alcoholic solution to decrease pain. It was a form of painkiller at the time referred to as laudanum. This was the beginning of a new era in addiction and for centuries to follow. The opioid epidemic continued to rise all across the globe as new forms of painkillers were being synthesized throughout the years. The 1800’s went on to bring us both Codeine and Morphine- two potent versions of painkillers used still to this day with the latter being the more detrimental of the pair. By the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, opium and opioid presence could not be muted. Wars would start over the substance and new laws and restrictions were needed to be placed. It was the year of 1905 that Big Pharma happened to finally get their hands on the marketing of such painkillers. In 1905, the United States Congress banned opium and opioid products from the United States unless in a labeled bottle approved by the Food and Drug Administration or (FDA). The ironic part about that is that is there were still more synthesized versions of the drug to show up down the road.

big pharma

Methadone was created to battle heroin addiction. Methadone is a controlled FDA regulated medication that is believed to be more addictive than and as well as just as deadly as heroin off the streets can be. Heroin was created to more or less battle morphine and do the same thing as its predecessor. Yet at the same time, it is proven that heroin is much more potent than morphine is. Do you happen to see the pattern here? The tricky thing about discussing Big Pharma is that it will jump into the topic of politics as well. The topic will only be mildly touched and I will also explain ahead of time that I am neither left nor right wing specifically. Our government works for the government and not necessarily for the people. Our country more or less does what benefits the higher ups and big wigs and skips over the bulk of citizens that make up America. This being said, Big Pharma and the corporations and conglomerations at the top have a specific agenda that has to be followed. That agenda is bringing in money and keeping exports and imports running smoothly in a sense. On one hand, you have the pharmaceutical companies at the top that are working with our government and are graciously handing prescriptions and pills out left and right. Then, on the other hand, you have our DEA that also works hand in hand with the government, and you have them stating that the production of opioids will be cut by 25% in 2017. So on two different heads of the same seven headed dragon, we have different motives being pushed and it leaves the people left in a stupor of addiction and confusion. I do digress, though, moving right along.

Opioids happen to be one of the biggest problems out there because of doctors over prescribing their patients. Often times you will see doctors handing them out because of a pay cut they might get for promoting the medication. Or even in some other cases, the doctor gets them so easily from the pharmaceutical companies that he or she will strike deals with patients and write off large quantities at a time. An even larger dismay unbeknownst to some is that opiates or any form are not a cure all narcotic. They are painkillers generally used to treat symptoms or alleviate pain of some sort, but they will not fix the ongoing problem behind the scenes. The idea is that they want you to be dependent but they don’t want you to be in a sense. Unfortunately, in this world, money is what keeps it spinning and some people and companies will toss aside all morals and values for simple monetary gain. What a time to be alive.

Tired of Being a Pharmaceutical Slave?

It doesn’t matter the form, discomfort is discomfort. Whether you suffer from physical or mental pain, at the end of the day- it’s still taking a toll. Don’t spend your every last dollar and bit of happiness on the oblong shaped chemicals. If you or a loved one is addicted to opiates and want help to deal with your pains in a healthy manner, please call1-844-489-0836. Our team of specialists will be ready to answer your questions and help guide you on the next step towards recovery. 

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