Is opiates/Heroin an addiction?

jimpump

Dont know how to make a poll so write your thoughts......yo

Ihatecuddles-old

Drugs yo..

fibonaccii

What a retarded question....

jimpump

Ihatecuddles wrote: »

Drugs yo..

Jesse pinkman yo

jimpump

fibonaccii wrote: »

What a retarded question....

Or should I have said disease instead of addiction? Yo

endacl

No. Opiates/heroin is are potentially addictive substances.

A poll isn't necessary, as the question doesn't make sense.

apollo8

If we can figure this one out we're in line for the nobel peace prize in Science!

endacl

jimpump wrote: »

Or should I have said disease instead of addiction? Yo

You're seem quite confused as to the nature of addiction, disease and opiates. Or at least to the distinction between those three quite different things.






*ahem* yo...

jimpump

endacl wrote: »

No. Opiates/heroin is are potentially addictive substances.

A poll isn't necessary, as the question doesn't make sense.

Unlike the alcohol question? The biggest killer including crack, meth, heroin, tobacco etc.

endacl

apollo8 wrote: »

If we can figure this one out we're in line for the nobel peace prize in Science!

?!?

You'd first have to find an organization prepared to award such a curiously titled prize.

endacl

jimpump wrote: »

Unlike the alcohol question? The biggest killer including crack, meth, heroin, tobacco etc.

What have they got to do with it? Your question made no sense.

jimpump

endacl wrote: »

You're seem quite confused as to the nature of addiction, disease and opiates. Or at least to the distinction between those three quite different things.






*ahem* yo...

So whats the difference between an alcohol and heroin addiction/disease?

endacl

jimpump wrote: »

So whats the difference between an alcohol and heroin addiction/disease?

But that's not what you asked....

You seem confused.

jimpump

endacl wrote: »

What have they got to do with it? Your question made no sense.

Do I have to spell it out, alcohol is the most damaging drug on the market and its legal. Yet other drugs get a bad rep yet theyre less harmful than alcohol

apollo8

endacl wrote: »

?!?

You'd first have to find an organization prepared to award such a curiously titled prize.

Pedantic,you know what i meant:P

endacl

jimpump wrote: »

Do I have to spell it out, alcohol is the most damaging drug on the market and its legal. Yet other drugs get a bad rep yet theyre less harmful than alcohol

If that's what you wanted to start a conversation about, why didn't you just start a conversation about that then?

Pedantic again I know but, in terms of recreational drugs, while those others you list are certainly 'available', only alcohol and tobacco would qualify as being 'on the market'.

In the spirit of what I can only presume to be your premise though, I'd have to both agree and disagree. Alcohol causes misery in a proportion of habitual users. Krokodil on the other hand, causes misery to everybody who uses it. Cocaine causes misery to those who have to listen to those who use it. Weed causes terminal dopiness. Tobacco causes cancer.

I'm guessing you're coming from a 'legalize everything because alcohol is legal' position? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Based on your OP, are you asking if heroin should be legal?

jimpump

apollo8 wrote: »

Pedantic,you know what i meant:P

Junkie :P

jimpump

endacl wrote: »

If that's what you wanted to start a conversation about, why didn't you just start a conversation about that then?

Pedantic again I know but, in terms of recreational drugs, while those others you list are certainly 'available', only alcohol and tobacco would qualify as being 'on the market'.

In the spirit of what I can only presume to be your premise though, I'd have to both agree and disagree. Alcohol causes misery in a proportion of habitual users. Krokodil on the other hand, causes misery to everybody who uses it. Cocaine causes misery to those who have to listen to those who use it. Weed causes terminal dopiness. Tobacco causes cancer.

I'm guessing you're coming from a 'legalize everything because alcohol is legal' position? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Based on your OP, are you asking if heroin should be legal?

Well if alcohol and tobacco are legal...the biggest killers of people worldwide, then why shouldnt cannabis, cocaine, opiates etc. Be legal? I pretty much know the answer, but im interested to hear your logic

endacl

jimpump wrote: »

Well if alcohol and tobacco are legal...the biggest killers of people worldwide, then why shouldnt cannabis, cocaine, opiates etc. Be legal? I pretty much know the answer, but im interested to hear your logic

Oh, I tend to agree with you.

As a moderate drinker, an on-them-off-them smoker, and an ex 'smoker', I'd say grown-ups should be let make their choices. I think the question is a little more complicated than that though.

Sofiztikated

You know the answer, and want the logic explained, but the actual question had to be pulled out of you.

This'll be good.

jimpump

endacl wrote: »

Oh, I tend to agree with you.

As a moderate drinker, an on-them-off-them smoker, and an ex 'smoker', I'd say grown-ups should be let make their choices. I think the question is a little more complicated than that though.

The police, prison workers, soliciters etc etc. Would be out of business if all drugs were legal. Cant forget about the poor drug kingpins who would lose out aswell

Theres money to be made so the government will never change the laws.....which is bs imo

WindSock

Is car a drive?

endacl

WindSock wrote: »

Is car a drive?

This again?!? You think I've nothing better to be doing with my time???

OK. Its five in the morning, and I'm on AH. I really don't have anything better to be doing with my time...

Is question a poll?

Cookie_Monster

jimpump wrote: »

Well if alcohol and tobacco are legal...the biggest killers of people worldwide

we should ban malaria, imagine how much better the world will be once this legal scourge is outlawed.

endacl

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

we should ban malaria, imagine how much better the world will be once this legal scourge is outlawed.

Even for recreational sufferers? :eek:

That's cold, man!

Jonny7

jimpump wrote: »

The police, prison workers, soliciters etc etc. Would be out of business if all drugs were legal. Cant forget about the poor drug kingpins who would lose out aswell

Theres money to be made so the government will never change the laws.....which is bs imo

Drugs are legal in Portugal - it turned into a paradise overnight, police were no longer needed, the entire justice system took the summer off and the town drunk became the country's largest problem

Ishmael

apollo8 wrote: »

If we can figure this one out we're in line for the nobel peace prize in Science!

Darn crazy scientists and their rampant warmongering! When will they ever learn!

In reply to the OP: Try it and let us know, thanks!

martinedwards

time for bed everyone. maybe after a little sleep you'll wise up.

saying that because alcohol is legal so legalise Heroin is like saying its OK for kids to shoot each other with Nerf guns and water pistols so lets get tesco to stock Tanks and ICBMs with multiple nuclear warheads.

the vast majority of Alcohol users don't have a major problem with it.

even people in Hospitals who have had surgery and been given opiate painkillers need to be weaned off if they've been on for more than a few days.

opiates are really bad news.

Mathrew

As far as I know, a single dose of heroin can start a person on the road to addiction. So my answer to the OP is, obviously YES. If no, how the heck internet has so vast-full amount of information about this drug? Tips on recovery, awareness/prevention, rehab things bla bla bla and bla! take this one for example Addiction Rehab Centers Arlington VA ,and some documentary films pertaining about how deadly heroin to people. Though i am not a user of this drug, but somehow i know heroin is acting like the other drugs. It can surely affect your brain (not to mention another part of the body that can damage by the said drugs). Nowadays, lots of people dying on heroin overdose. That is another evidence how dangerous heroin is. You will become attached to it, characterized by the need of continuing using it.

DarkyHughes

jimpump wrote: »

Unlike the alcohol question? The biggest killer including crack, meth, heroin, tobacco etc.

Don't forget Barbiturates.

mmmmmmmm lovely Seconal.

fizzypish

Jonny7 wrote: »

Drugs are legal in Portugal

Decriminalized not legal.

ScumLord

endacl wrote: »

?!?

You'd first have to find an organization prepared to award such a curiously titled prize.

The science prise is handed out by the Science league. Captain science himself usually hands it out to the lucky winner. Hopefully the Pope won't try to attack the ceremony again this year and turn everyone into Catholics using his mind control incense.

jimpump wrote: »

Do I have to spell it out, alcohol is the most damaging drug on the market and its legal. Yet other drugs get a bad rep yet theyre less harmful than alcohol

Are they less harmful than alcohol? Or is alcohol the drug that causes the most harm because it's freely available whereas the others are restricted meaning they don't have the opportunity to hurt as many people.

jimpump wrote: »

Well if alcohol and tobacco are legal...the biggest killers of people worldwide, then why shouldnt cannabis, cocaine, opiates etc. Be legal? I pretty much know the answer, but im interested to hear your logic

I'm all for drug legalisation but it needs to be done properly and clearly there needs to be some education so people don't end up falling into addiction.

pragmatic1

ScumLord wrote: »

Are they less harmful than alcohol? Or is alcohol the drug that causes the most harm because it's freely available whereas the others are restricted meaning they don't have the opportunity to hurt as many people.

Yes, alcohol can be an extremely dangerous drug. So dangerous that withdrawals can kill you. It's right up there with the worst of them and wouldn't be legalised today if it were a new drug.

ScumLord

pragmatic1 wrote: »

Yes, alcohol can be an extremely dangerous drug. So dangerous that withdrawals can kill you. It's right up there with the worst of them and wouldn't be legalised today if it were a new drug.

I agree, based solely on experience alcohol is as bad as any drug, but the comparison isn't like for like. Alcohol is freely and easily available to anyone over the age of 18 that wants it. While you could argue that drugs are too they're still not as easily accessible as alcohol. So there is going to be a difference in the numbers based purely on that fact.

Alcohol isn't quite as dangerous as drugs like cocaine and heroin but it's surprisingly close IMO.

pragmatic1

ScumLord wrote: »

I agree, based solely on experience alcohol is as bad as any drug, but the comparison isn't like for like. Alcohol is freely and easily available to anyone over the age of 18 that wants it. While you could argue that drugs are too they're still not as easily accessible as alcohol. So there is going to be a difference in the numbers based purely on that fact.

Alcohol isn't quite as dangerous as drugs like cocaine and heroin but it's surprisingly close IMO.

It's right up there in terms of the harm it can cause to the human body. A heroin withdrawal won't kill you, a withdrawal from alcohol can.

SpaceSasqwatch

endacl wrote: »

Cocaine causes misery to those who have to listen to those who use it.

lol never a truer word said!

Perkinstock

Mathrew wrote: »

Nowadays, lots of people dying on heroin overdose. That is another evidence how dangerous heroin is. You will become attached to it, characterized by the need of continuing using it.

You are right. My friend was addicted to heroin, fortunately he was saved by the treatments in Hope Treatment Addiction Center. Heroin had ruined his life, just by taking a one shot.. you'll just going to be surprised how it will change you.

leinsterdude

heroin is a nasty drug, sold by nasty people, there is no way booze is as bad,heroin is almost instant addiction, as opposed to plenty of people who can drink a little bit all throughout life, not all and there are basket cases with booze, but you see very few social heroin users !!

Greenmachine

leinsterdude wrote: »

heroin is a nasty drug, sold by nasty people, there is no way booze is as bad,heroin is almost instant addiction, as opposed to plenty of people who can drink a little bit all throughout life, not all and there are basket cases with booze, but you see very few social heroin users !!

Typical scaremongering propaganda. If opiates were as addictive as you make out, then who has every been prescribed morphine, codeine etc, would be addicted for life.

SeanW

jimpump wrote: »

Do I have to spell it out, alcohol is the most damaging drug on the market and its legal. Yet other drugs get a bad rep yet theyre less harmful than alcohol

True. Of cannabis, LSD, MDMA, mushrooms etc.

Except heroin is not one of those drugs.

Spunge

Opiates are a type of drug that can form a physical addiction, so ehh yeah. Got any ? im bored

keithclancy

ScumLord wrote: »

I agree, based solely on experience alcohol is as bad as any drug, but the comparison isn't like for like. Alcohol is freely and easily available to anyone over the age of 18 that wants it. While you could argue that drugs are too they're still not as easily accessible as alcohol. So there is going to be a difference in the numbers based purely on that fact.

Alcohol isn't quite as dangerous as drugs like cocaine and heroin but it's surprisingly close IMO.

I think you only think about to the harm to the user and not the harm caused to others.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2010/11/drugs_cause_most_harm

Policing and Imprisonment is about protecting society from problems, individuals causing harm to themselves should not fit into this category.

Therefore I would say it would make more sense to decriminalise these drugs and fix the problems that cause the addiction to something in the first place rather than just stick people in jail for taking certain harmful substances.

Anything can be abused.

We should just ban cake because fat people cost the tax payer money in healthcare.

Spunge

Greenmachine wrote: »

Typical scaremongering propaganda. If opiates were as addictive as you make out, then who has every been prescribed morphine, codeine etc, would be addicted for life.

there was an interesting thread on reddit. More relevant for the USA than here.
Thread title was "Heroin users why did you start using". The majority of the answerrs were they were prescribed painkillers (usually oxycodone, which can be just as good/bad as heroin) then when they ran out of their prescription heroin was the only/cheaper option, either that or cold turkey.

Personally i think thats a rare occurence here and that doctors only give out painkillers that arent nearly as potentially addictive as oxycodone, so the reason most people start here is curiosity + being around the drug a lot, in turn desensetized from the sensationalism + just not giving a ****

Wacker The Attacker

apollo8 wrote: »

If we can figure this one out we're in line for the nobel peace prize in Science!

I agree. We'll be all like scientific and sh1t.

Wacker The Attacker

fizzypish wrote: »

Decriminalized not legal.

What exactly is the difference?

keithclancy

Wacker The Attacker wrote: »

What exactly is the difference?

While decriminalized acts are no longer crimes, they may still be the subject of penalties; for example a monetary fine in place of a criminal charge for the possession of a decriminalized drug. This should be contrasted with legalization, which removes all or most legal detriments from a previously illegal act.

Like getting a speeding ticket you get a fine but you don't go to "bang me in the ass prison"

Speeding isn't legal for example.

SpaceSasqwatch

Wacker The Attacker wrote: »

What exactly is the difference?

Normally if its decriminalised,when your caught with enough for personal use of whatever drug its taken off you and you dont get charged and the cops dont have to waste time presecuting peoplke for small amounts.

When legalised the drug wont be taken off you.

Spunge

Wacker The Attacker wrote: »

What exactly is the difference?

i remember talking to a portugeuse person who's friend was caught with a large amount of ecstasy, the ecstasy was confiscated and they had to go to councilling.

so maybe that is an example, i dunno.

Like when i was in portugal people selling weed were just as scared of the cops as you'd see people here so obviously stuff still happens, even though its decriminalized.

Spunge

leinsterdude wrote: »

heroin is a nasty drug, sold by nasty people, there is no way booze is as bad,heroin is almost instant addiction, as opposed to plenty of people who can drink a little bit all throughout life, not all and there are basket cases with booze, but you see very few social heroin users !!

never really heard of anyone getting instant addiction, its just that they use it once or twice then realise that afterwards they assumed all the media scaremongering was BS coz they actually could go on with their lives without it, so they probably ignored everything they ever heard of heroin then on. Weeks and months go by and use increases gradually, then they get to a point when they stop they get really sick, then theyre ****ed.

Its not some insta-junkie-mode drug like people think, same with crystal meth or any drug but those 2 are number one on the insta-junkie hype scale.

KomradeBishop

Good article here, explaining how the normal theories of drug addiction - of it being a 'moral failing', or of it being a physiological addiction - are likely wrong in significant ways, and that drug addiction is more about losing the opportunity/ability to connect/bond with people (and thus drugs take that place, giving people a sense of relief/pleasure in the absence of connection - explained far more lucidly in the article, so please read first), with people falling off the bottom rungs of society and getting stuck there:
http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/28672-everything-you-think-you-know-about-addiction-and-the-war-on-drugs-is-wrong

Best explanation for drug addiction that I've read - which shows well, how deeply it ties into all sorts of other societal/economic/political issues.

corner of hells

KomradeBishop wrote: »

Good article here, explaining how the normal theories of drug addiction - of it being a 'moral failing', or of it being a physiological addiction - are likely wrong in significant ways, and that drug addiction is more about losing the opportunity/ability to connect/bond with people (and thus drugs take that place, giving people a sense of relief/pleasure in the absence of connection - explained far more lucidly in the article, so please read first), with people falling off the bottom rungs of society and getting stuck there:
http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/28672-everything-you-think-you-know-about-addiction-and-the-war-on-drugs-is-wrong

Best explanation for drug addiction that I've read - which shows well, how deeply it ties into all sorts of other societal/economic/political issues.

My employment is in homeless services and have a background in low threshold drug services , I used to have a supervisor who gave a very loose explanation of chronic addiction as being an inability to delay and experience pleasure properly alone with little or no bonding of any significance with society or even an individual.