For the better part of a decade, I was prescribed more than 100mg of morphine-equivalent opioid medication every day:

40-60mg oxycodone (equivalent in strength to heroin, 1.5x stronger than morphine)
240mg codeine
Plus other non-narcotic medications

All doctor’s orders. At times, it felt less like medical care and more like sanctioned drug pushing.

This all started after a non-union first rib fracture led to thoracic outlet syndrome in 2015 (and countless accidents/injuries following). In big cities, doctors don’t have the time to build strong, trusting relationships with patients - and that lack of care left me dependent on pills. Initially they were effective but as tolerance and dependence builds, they made my quality of life of a lot worse.

Moving back to New Zealand changed everything. I’ve been working with a doctor who actually listens, and with their support I tapered off completely. No more of the poppy. I’ve been almost completely opioid-free two months - and the wild part? I have less pain than I did when I was on the meds.

What works instead:

Movement (walking, stretching, physio)
Sunlight
Nutritious food
Supplements
Meditation/mindfulness
Gratitude
Medical cannabis (where you can access it or just hit the local tinny house)
Non-narcotic pharmaceuticals (if needed)

This experience has made one thing crystal clear: the Sacklers and the system that enabled them caused untold harm. Pills aren’t the only answer - and for many of us, they make things worse.

Keep it green. Move your body. And whenever possible: ditch the pills.