Sterilizing Drug Addicts

[Boozy]

Yes, withdrawal from some substances can kill people.

Heroin withdrawal, for example, should only be done under medical supervision at a clinic, preferably with the use of methadone.

But does that mean someone powerless to quit? No. And it doesn't make addiction a disease.

[BlaqueKatt]

You obviously don't know much about addictions, do you?

Addiction is a disease. The brains of an addict are wired and they can't control their behaviour once they start..

actually we've had this thread on "addiction/alcoholism, disease or not"

It is speculated that the disease concept originated in the 1800's with a fellow by the name of Dr. Benjamin Rush. He believed alcoholics were diseased and used the idea to promote his prohibitionist political platform.

He also believed that dishonesty, political dissention and being of African American decent were diseases as well.

[Red Panda]

Since this is voluntary I don't see the big deal. I wouldn't mind seeing forced sterilization of people who have their children taken away from CPS a certain number of times. They're the ones who need it.

[Kimmik]

Do you know that some that do meth and other drugs are doing something called self medicating? I am a good example of that. I use to do speed. And for the first time that I could remember I sat down and watched a whole movie on tv, sat at the table focused on my drawings. I quit when I blacked out and came to driving... risking my own death was one thing but I would not risk others. Come to find out via testing that I can be a poster child for ADD. I now refuse the medication because damn it I hate pills. But I know that with out it... going to the movies is not an option for me. That I have to have help to do many things people do without thinking.

Or that yes you can be an alcoholic that cant quit. My father tried.. many ways, even medically which made him sicker then a dog.. but he did try. I would say that his addiction was a disease. It cost him everything.. and he tried to fight it but lost.

Unless you have been down that road it is a hard thing to see.. I simply walked away from speed... no detox no rehab I just quit because I scared the shit out of myself. But I know that the medicine would help me in my daily life.. but I am to worried at what it will cost.

I dont think it is right because she is preying on people that need help not hey look 300 bucks, with their brain going ooo that is x amount of happy. Don't get me wrong I know first hand what drug babies are like and I also know that an addict needs help not to be "fixed" .

[Plaidman]

I've seen customers kill themselves by drinking themselves to death. I tried to save one, but got in major trouble by corporate for trying to refuse him beer.
He even told me he thought it was nice to see me try that, but he needs that beer.

He died eventally of complete liver failure. His cat, his only friend meowed for days on end until people found him dead in his apartment. She was curled up next to him, trying to get him up and just nonstop meowing. She still had dry food in her dish. was out of water, but I guess she got the kitchen fountain working or something.

My mother did meth. She did meth before I was born, stoped while she was preg with me, started again after I was born. Part of the reason my sister pushed herself as hard as possible through school because she knew she be the one taking care of me, as I never had a chance. I never had want for anything. I always had toys, food (I had to cook it myself most of time, likely why I'm skinny as I never fed myself growing up), clothes, a room, etc. The only thing that I didnt get was emontional support. From anyone until recently, and honestly? I'm a real clingly attention seeking jerk and it's so stupid, but it's nice feeling to have those virtiual hugs.

Mom is clean now. But until I was 12 years old, she was ether high as a kite or sleeping for days on end. Those days where she was going to get ubber ubber ubber high, I sent to spend the night at someone house for a few days.

She still hates giving me hugs, and gets really freaked out the rare times I try to give one.

So I turn to internet hugs. It's better then nothing.

Drug addicts can become clean. If they choose too.

[Hobbs]

*glomps Plaid*

[Amanita]

Plaid, the story with the guy and his cat is the saddest thing I've read all day. Hugs.

[infinitemonkies]

A voluntary and reversible procedure (in the case of vasectomies) to prevent unplanned pregnancy? I'm all for it.

Q: Is the 'tube tying' procedure reversible? And what is the medical term for that?

In fact, I have no problem whatsoever with requiring drug addicts and convicted criminals to get it, as long as it is reversible. If such a person cleans up their life, and decides to have kids, they can always pay to have the procedure undone.

Hell, I'm in favor of reversibly sterilizing EVERYONE, and making any would-be parents prove themselves ready and capable for the responsibility of parenting before allowing the reversal procedure.

[Plaidman]

Q: Is the 'tube tying' procedure reversible? And what is the medical term for that?.

Tubal ligation, and yes it is reversible.

[KnitShoni]

Hell, I'm in favor of reversibly sterilizing EVERYONE, and making any would-be parents prove themselves ready and capable for the responsibility of parenting before allowing the reversal procedure.

Yes, yes, yes. Especially after reading this story: http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/arizona...ry?id=10919821

[blas87]

I don't mean to go off topic or nitpick, but I think drug addiction is both a disease AND a choice....does that make sense?

I've seen alcoholics destroy themselves and their entire family, like a disease it can cripple your body or motor skills or brain function. I have relatives who, I kid you not, drank so much when they were younger and up until they were forced into treatment or they'd die if they kept drinking, and they are almost retarded. I am not making light of mentally handicapped people, these people are so mentally helpless and slow now because of what they've done to themselves. It was a choice, and once the addiction took over, over time it took over their body like a bad disease. Sure they can live alone and be independent and work or drive, but you can hardly understand a word they say and they have lost almost any common sense or thoughts or control of their mouths and moods.....two of these relatives in particular I absolutely hate and it makes me sad to think of what they've done to themselves.

This is why I worry so much about my bf and some of my friends and acquaintances. You do not want to be mentally crippled in your 40s and 50s because you were dumb when you were younger and couldn't stop and refused to get help. You may not be thinking of the future right now, but when you get there, if you still have some of your brain left from all of that alcohol abuse, you'll hate yourself.

[HYHYBT]

Hell, I'm in favor of reversibly sterilizing EVERYONE, and making any would-be parents prove themselves ready and capable for the responsibility of parenting before allowing the reversal procedure.

Reversible, yes... but something to consider: the reversal often doesn't work.

[Plaidman]

Reversible, yes... but something to consider: the reversal often doesn't work.

Maybe ten years ago. 98 percent reversiable for women, About the same for men. However, the potencay of male is decreased over time, both before surgery and after. So it can work.

[jackfaire]

In fact, I have no problem whatsoever with requiring drug addicts and convicted criminals to get it, as long as it is reversible. If such a person cleans up their life, and decides to have kids, they can always pay to have the procedure undone.

I have a huge problem with this. I have a friend who was convicted of a crime that neither him nor his "victim" felt was a crime but they weren't listened to and he was convicted.

On top of that all convicted criminals? Repeat offenders what? I mean every person convicted gets fixed automatically? Doesn't seem fair to me.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Not to mention the fact that there's hundreds of people out there who shouldn't be parents who haven't been convincted of any crime.