Another friend had a persistent cough getting over a cold and was given oxycodone in liquid form "to help sleep." She never took it.
Both of these were at major facilities in the Bay Area. Thinking at least some of the blame falls on the docs.
In the past I had a persistent cough bad enough that it keep me up several nights. Mucinex would do nothing. Vix did nothing. Eventually each coughing spell was causing head splitting pain. Codeine was a crucial treatment option.
I have a feeling getting hooked on codeine cough syrup would be extremely difficult given a single bottle with perhaps 10 doses.
It should not be inappropriate to prescribe codeine cough syrup to an adult who actually has a serious persistent cough.
When the doctor is misinformed, or their incentive is to please pharmaceutical companies, your trust is betrayed without any warning.
My friend is a psychiatrist and says that any night of any week, she can go out and get a $100+ meal free from pharma reps. Organized meals have speakers that are marketing drugs to them. Informal meals just have the sales rep saying the same talking points.
If anyone thinks she or her coworkers can make unbiased decisions about what the describe, they're very naive.
Countries where antibiotics can be had over the counter for people with viral colds should be shut out of international trade.
Countries where giving antibiotics to healthy livestock is allowed should be shut out of international trade.
These aren't even controversial measures.
This attitude toward this stuff makes me think that most just don't realize how bad it is. Most people mean well but don't know any better.
Disposing medicines like this is irresponsible. You should always use a drug disposal service. Local sheriffs can take narcotics off your hands.
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you...
Recent studies are pointing to this being a better pain solution than opioids.
I'm not saying opioids should go away, but they are not always the best option.