tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21166121.post114575376254034712..comments2008-05-07T16:09:22.301-07:00Peter B. Reinernoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21166121.post-1145790890268802572006-04-23T04:14:00.000-07:002006-04-23T04:14:00.000-07:00Oh yes, drug pushing is all about profits. Sadly, it seems that almost everything in the health field has become so. Can't remember the name of the book, but a few years ago, I read one that suggested that drug-addiction, for instance, has been hyped to an enormous extent. Years ago, many (at least beginning) addicts were able to stop using on their own; now it's assumed you have to enter an (expensive) rehab center, take (expensive) medication, and get (expensive) counseling. Once you're clean and resume your life, you run a very strong risk of falling back into the abyss and the cycle starts over. I know about this personally: When I was much younger, my obstitrician prescribed anphetimines to control my weight during pregnancy. Boy, I loved the stuff, had the baby fine, got to a size 10, and had energy to burn. I continued to use it everyday--I actually had an open-ended prescription. Of course, I had to keep increasing the amount to get the same effect and was finally taking 5 times the amount originally prescribed. The FDA then cracked down on the stuff and I couldn't get any more. Well, I just stopped taking it. It was unpleasant for a time, but in a few weeks, I got over it. Was I an addict? Of course, but I didn't know I was and I didn't know there was "help" available, so I just kicked it myself. My husband did the same with cigarettes: Smoked 2 packs a day for years, decided to quit cold turkey, and did, overnight. Thanks for your blog--wonderfully thoughtful insight, notably this entry and the one on the Iraqi carnage.Mimihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734568049624619618noreply@blogger.com