Hello,@summertime4, Mamacita here , aka Jane. I tried to do a little bit of investigative work here before giving you an answer.

I live in North Alabama, and we, unfortunately, have the dubious distinction of having one of the highest opiate consumptions per capita in the nation.

Hydrocodone works great for me. But neither the Rheumatologist nor the PCP will prescribe it for me. This was at my request. From many years ago.

Hydrocodone affects perception. I told the medical folks not to prescribe anything for me that might affect my ability to drive, make decisions, or care for our precious Grandchild.

Little did I know back then, in the 90's, that Fibromyalgia would get progressively worse. I have come to regret that decision.

But in this environment of drug users, drugs are frequently used in ways that they were not prescribed. I have heard of people injecting or smoking or huffing just about every drug you can imagine.

I have not located any articles to back that up.yet. But I will be looking for them. I did look at an article by Ramsey Archibald, @al.com. Where the opioid epidemic hit Alabama hardest. Two counties that have the most drugs in the state are a short drive from my door.

Foster care numbers are at an all time high. Families are torn apart. Children don't know who they can trust anymore. Enabling seems to be the name of the game. But someone with diabetic neuropathy and severe Fibromyalgia like me, well, I have to be convincing to the medical establishment so that they understand I really am in as much pain as I say I am.

To be fair, they do not wish to get in trouble themselves. Around this town, one of the high schools was known as the "pill" school. The other the "alcohol" school. I personally knew of a Sunday School class that refused to have their social at my friend's house because alcohol would not be on the menu .

I hope I have answered at least some of your questions. Thankfully, the medicines that truly help us are not as difficult to procure in your part of the country. May it remain so.

Mamacita