We have several fundamentally flawed views on drug use in the US, and some of the worst substance abuse outcomes in the world as a result of it. I think a lot of people don’t understand the difference between tolerance/dependence and addiction. Most of us use drugs or even develop tolerance to things like caffeine without having a psychological addiction, but don’t believe people can manage dependence on other substances in the same way.

If someone used opioids responsibly while practicing harm reduction principles like Dr. Hart, it would be very reasonable to avoid dependency or even taper off if one developed. But people still scoff at the thought of using certain types of drugs responsibly, refusing to believe it’s possible, or even demanding those drug users admit they’re in denial and have a problem. It’s sickening, the way most people almost seem to want responsible drug users to fail just in order to prove a point.