Maybe it's just nostalgia, but I really miss having places people would congregate, a common hangout spot, specifically because you didn't have 24/7 tabs on where all your friends were. Wherever it was-- a bar or park or wherever, you could always breeze by and find a few people there. Now everybody's so divided, pinging "favourite" folks to hang out (I'm guilty of it too)... but it takes away that window to get to know some peripheral friend that you might get "stuck" with at the park with and find out they've got loads of neat stories or fun ideas or whatever.
And I truly hate people looking at their phones during parties. If you're that bored just go start another conversation with somebody else, christallmighty :\
Other replies were a little salty, and I can only say from personal experience------- but the awareness that you're out of it takes away some of the sanctuary of being high... especially if you're even moderately comfortable (in life, in mind, etc). Feels like you didn't come by it honest, and ruins it some.
On the other hand, if you're stuck in a shithole with a metric tonne of inner demons, it's pretty much tops.
Contentment, opiates.
Happiness... like that innocent 'AHHHHH TOMORROW'S CHRISTMAS!' joy, I'd say MDMA instead
If you've got a free hour-or-so sometime this BBC documentary is pretty engaging and describes the opiate timeline regarding use and legal status:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3M1QPoeNMU
Seconded; I'm a casual browser but when a topic grabs my attention it's great to see there's been multiple well-trafficked threads and have links mentioned to backtrack to alternate discussions
Not surprised. They're really pushing their new online lotto options and such recently, may as well make those advertising dollars work extra hard by simultaneously censoring the competition.
(just from personal experience, not a doctor. But below is what people have done that really improved my quality of life through depressive episodes)
#1 is take care of yourself--- you, the support-giver, should come first; if you start to get frustrated with caring for the person with depression they'll sense it and then close off 100%.
#2 bring them out to do things. Not necessary to be over the top happy, just seeing somebody motivated to do stuff, and willing to take the time to drag me along.... was great. The world always seemed a lot less bleak at the end of those days. The activity itself didn't matter at all, so no need to plan anything grandiose.
#3 after days that you've done something, touch base really quick the next day. Just a "had fun last night" text or call first thing, doesn't have to take much time. Just to stop the back-slide of the depressive mind's tendency to pick apart significant events and turn them vile and negative
#4 Don't _worry_ because that's a negative emotion (easier said than done when it comes to somebody you care for, I know), because it can cause a lot of feelings of guilt and burden in the depressed person. Show care with positive support like frequent check-in's, random visits with food and sundries, etc.
#5 Again, I can't say this enough: take care of _yourself_. Do not burn yourself out trying to be a 'be all end all' care giver. If you have to step away for a week, that's better than showing up miserable and resentful. And it will happen--- it's only natural to feel tired/hopeless/unappreciated/'done' sometimes, especially if you're supporting somebody with a very long depression that has nasty/antisocial outward mood side effects (like lashing out, transient paranoia, antisocial resistance to aid, and such).
I don't know if that'll be helpful at all, but you had no other replies and I've been the person receiving care/support before. I know it isn't easy, but it is _always_ appreciated.
A lot of overdoses also stem from folks who were forced or coerced into rehab before being fully prepared, then relapse, taking their old dose without realizing that their tolerance has already gone down during treatment. Hopefully those cases would decrease with legalization and the removal of the "hard drug" stigma.
Regarding the increase in RX deaths, I'd like to see those stats too-- though it's probably too hairy to really break down, I'd also like to see that expanded which prescription opiate, as well as circumstance (fully recreational/no clear injury, minor injury, during hospitalization, or continuing/long term care).
