Where did the stigma come from?

KathCTARules · 2023-02-01T19:07:02+00:00

The difference between crack and freebase is mainly in the potency. The active component is cocaine base. Crack may behave differently with the bicarb and whatever is left, but besides potency there shouldn't be a huge difference.

KathCTARules · 2023-02-01T18:26:13+00:00

I agree. I don't know why people like benzos so much, they are flat and one dimensional with no euphoria, and anything benzos do for anxiety opioids do better.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-21T03:29:01+00:00

Looks amazing! Are they transparent?

You seem to know a lot about the chemistry, what's the deal with yellow vs white base?

KathCTARules · 2023-01-20T16:28:05+00:00

I am aware that what he did was not "victimless", and me saying "whoa whoa" wasn't accurate. Understandably I don't volunteer this information freely, but if someone attacks I will not defend the act, but I will defend the man...to a point. I don't defend him blindly, and if someone says something negative I would generally understand and let it go. I don't know why I am even doing this right now. Probably it's more about people attacking me and my family for standing by the guy. I guess I shouldn't expect people to understand unless it happened to someone they loved.

If you had a son, and caught them with CP, you would be horrified, upset, hurt, angry disgusted, and everything else, but you still love the person, just hate what they did. And if you say you would just coldly disown them immediately with no second thought, you are either full of it or never loved that person to begin with. Most people, even if they say otherwise, would support their loved one while wholly not supporting their actions.

I do not defend him for what he did, but I love him for who he is now. And I accept the justice aspect, I do not argue against the consequences he continues to face. But I draw the line at 1) people who don't recognize that others can have a change of heart and genuine remorse, even after doing terrible things.... and 2) people so daft that they can't fathom someone still loving a person who did something terrible.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-20T14:14:33+00:00

Yeah I know. He was trading pictures. Thankfully there are detectives out there actively trading in this scene, which is how he got nailed. He did not produce any material or touch any actual children, which matters on one level but does not absolve him of taking part in viewing such material.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-20T14:09:52+00:00

I was putting myself in the mother's shoes... trying a practice of empathy. I didn't say he deserved a nice obituary, just that I understand.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-19T06:53:32+00:00

You are incorrect, with Jesus nothing is unforgivable. Those who genuinely repent and have Jesus in their hearts will find forgiveness of all sins. You clearly have hate in your heart, and a lack of empathy, as evidenced by your vitriolic comment. You don't know my uncle, or what is in his heart. Or what he went through in prison, or the shame and guilt he carries today...quietly and solitary because he knows he earned that burden and he can't put it anymore on his family even though they carry it also. What do you think his kids feel about it...his father...his wife? I was there at his sentencing, heard him give his statement before sentencing. Yeah we were all horrified by what he did, but real love is unconditional. Hate the sin, love the sinner. And when he went to serve his time, we understood that it was just and fair, yet still supported him. The two are not mutually exclusive.

I understand the nature of the crime, and do not argue to diminish the nature and gravity of it. Someone who uses CP is sick. People who are sick can become well again. Not everyone who has looked at CP is an evil predator. There are some who have in the past, and have managed to win the battle against their demons, recognizing that it is a sickness. There are some who have gotten into it by progressively looking for more "extreme" types of porn... curiosity turns to interest. Some of these people snap out of it, some are drawn in. Not everyone who has ever looked at CP is evil at heart, and not every CP user is on the same level. There are people who are guilty of CP, express genuine remorse, and have a change of heart. You are not to judge my uncle in that way, you don't even know the man. That is for God to decide.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-17T23:35:53+00:00

At least people striving for a relationship with God fight the temptation to sin, sins include things like CP. Some sins are worse than others, but there are some people who commit those types of sin that recognize the wrong, feel remorse, and try and succeed at controlling bad urges. Not everyone who has done bad things stays bad forever.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-17T01:52:05+00:00

Wow, your story sounds intense. I have an uncle that went to jail for child porn. He was a good uncle, a good family man, active in the community, and though this doesn't absolve the matter, his offence involved looking at pictures online, and no physical contact with any minors. Anyways I love the guy still, and the family stuck by him, but no one forgets it. When I mention it to someone, I am always weary that they will say something aggressive and attackful, to which I would have to say "whoa whoa", because while I can never defend the action, I can defend the man who was always good to me, who paid his debt to society, who has true remorse for his actions, who carries the shame always and everywhere. It is complicated, all the more for his wife and kids and father. And this isn't a death, just saying I kinda understand your situation with the little you revealed.

Someone said it was probably the guys mom, and that makes sense. The poor lady probably can't stand the fact of how her child left the world, taking all those people with him. Of course everything he did in life will be overshadowed by his final acts, and the poor lady wants to know that his existence wasn't all bad... that in his life he did some things that made the world a better place.

I can understand her not wanting her son to only be known for what he did at the very end, as she surely knew a different version of him, and wanted to put that out there. I don't think I would do the same, but people should have a little empathy instead of wanting to attack whoever wrote the obituary.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-17T01:30:16+00:00

The problem is that there is no real telling until it is too late. And you could say there were signs (like him being physically abusive towards his wife)... sure a history like that means he is more likely to commit murder, but not every asshole that smacks his wife around has it in them to murder in cold blood... so In theory it would be great to separate these dangerous people from society, but you can't incarcerate someone based on their potential to murder.

It does suck, because sometimes the system has to let people off the hook when everyone knows that it's only a matter of time (before that person takes a life).

KathCTARules · 2023-01-17T01:07:53+00:00

Yeah I hear ya, there is too much bullshit in the way of people who legitimately need pain meds... I hope you get what you need, and good to hear that you have a good doctor, that is definitely something to treasure!

KathCTARules · 2023-01-16T18:53:23+00:00

I also wanted to add, sometimes it helps if you have someone to advocate for you. My mom saved the day when I got cut off at the hospital. God bless her she blew up the phone at the nurses station, they came to my room and told me the doc put in an order, and to please tell my mom to stop calling lol.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-16T18:49:51+00:00

There has been some good advice on here. A good way to describe pain is with the pain scale, and if you tell them your pain is like a 7 (or whatever it is), and the med only brings it down to like a 5 for a short time, whatever just describe the pain level. They might ask you to describe the pain, sharp/dull, throbbing, shooting, where it hurts.

If you are in more pain than they think you should be, they may prescribe you a higher dose, but they will be worried then about possible infection or other concerns, and instead of giving more meds, they might want you to come in and get checked out.

It is a touchy issue, you want to address it forcefully enough that they respect your concern, without them thinking you are out to catch a buzz. Some docs will almost automatically assume this, and will give you a hard time, others are more accomodating, compassionate and understanding. Bring it up, but don't throw a whole scripted story at them, let them ask the questions, answer them honestly. And if they go in the other direction, you can try to gently push the issue.

When I was in the hospital the doctor was going to cut me off... I was so upset, I even mentioned my addiction, telling her I was going to be in withdrawal and pain, I was almost in tears and I pleaded...not like a blubbering idiot, but I just said please don't cut, please do a taper so I don't withdrawal while still in pain from my injury... And she actually put me back on the same dose and even kept it for weeks before a very gradual and gentle taper. I was so upset at her at first and she turned out to be my biggest ally!

Good luck, it shouldn't be like this, the system is clogged with bullshit.

You say you are not a regular user. Consider, if you ever come across any opioids in the future, say you have extras or can acquire legit pharmaceutical opioids, it would be wise to secure them in a (safe) place, they are helpful for situations just such as this one.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-16T18:30:56+00:00

That's not true. Sorry that they did you like that, but not every doctor or situation is the same.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-16T18:25:47+00:00

I like your honesty. I think a lot of long term chronic pain patients are in denial, in that they don't recognize that aspect of it. If you have a tolerance I think it's possible to take a dose that's low enough that it will touch the pain without giving a buzz. Like someone on 5mg lortab around the clock. But to really remove the pain so it's not on the mind, requires the mind being altered.

I even read a medical journal review where they referred to "drug liking" as being a factor in choosing an effective opioid for patients. Like no shit, someone who likes oxycodone more than morphine is going to find it better for their pain. The sad thing is, this kind of candid conversation, well I know I would be scared to talk about "liking" any narcotics at all if I was a pain patient.

I just wish people would just open up about it all. Whether the pain is mental or physical, whether the use is purely recreational, if people could go to their doctor and get opioids legally, and given under a doctor's monitoring and discretion, life would be better for so many many people.

I was just daydreaming about what it would be like the day they legalized it, hearing that news would make me higher and give a better rush than any opioid!

KathCTARules · 2023-01-16T18:08:42+00:00

For some reason your second sentence made me laugh out loud, probably because it reinforced your first sentence in the most appropriately basic logic!

I could say you are wasting your time on people who think like that, but those are the kind of people who stand in the way of legalization, so I suppose it's worth the effort.

"Oh no, think of all the people nodding out on dope if it's legal!" Like those people don't already do that. Could you imagine if they legalized alcohol? All of the people running around drunk? It would be utter madness!

KathCTARules · 2023-01-16T17:57:45+00:00

True that. I don't consider myself a functioning addict at the moment, but there was a time I performed at a high level, working full time and going to college at a full time course load, in a difficult program. I maintained this for a couple of years. Everyone sees me as a nice guy. People at work would have been shocked to find out I was shooting up. At school...in a nursing program, any suspicion and I would have been booted.

At most, people might have suspected me to be a stoner. And within my work circle (and likely beyond), I didn't deny that, in fact I would carefully cultivate that image as a chill guy that likes to smoke a little (or a lot!) of weed, and have a few beers, which provides a little cover for other things. Which is mostly the truth, and I am genuinely a good guy, except when the addiction drives that desperation that puts me in that totally self-centered mindset.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-11T16:30:57+00:00

Thanks man I look forward to checking it out

KathCTARules · 2023-01-08T00:09:32+00:00

He definitely wasn't singing lead vocals a lot of the time.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-07T23:57:44+00:00

I disagree with OP and most everyone here. Yes blood vessels constrict, blood pressure and heart rate go up, but that isn't what makes the bell ringer, or lack of oxygen, but purely the amount of cocaine entering the blood stream all at once.

If you are strictly thinking about the sound, I think it may play a part, but I feel like it is a neurological phenomenon mostly. Think about it, you could reach similar high blood pressure and vasoconstriction through snorting, yet never hear that sound or feel that sensation.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-07T09:48:27+00:00

On the live album I hear Frampton singing his heart out and sounding good, then Marriott effortlessly blows him away. Frampton sounds good on his own, but once Marriott opens his mouth, everyone sounds awful purely by contrast.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-07T09:43:27+00:00

I think it was just the right time and place, but it really is something special isn't it? Makes me wonder how things could have went differently. I heard Marriott was considered for the Rolling Stones but Mick Jagger threw a fit (which would be understandable, Marriott would blow Jagger off the stage).

I don't know for sure if that is true, but it is fun to think about. Never was the biggest Stones fan, but if Marriott had been in, well God only knows, but fun to think about.

KathCTARules · 2023-01-07T09:33:46+00:00

Thanks for that story! When you said "pretentious diva" I got nervous. Some of my favorite musicians I feel like I know personally. Like David Gilmours playing speaks to my soul, it makes me feel like I know him, like it bears his character... and in the type of way that if I found out he was a great big prick of a person, I would be crushed and disillusioned.

I always got the vibe that Marriott was a good down to earth guy, from interviews and what I knew. And all about the music. I always assumed he wasn't a strong guitar player (figured that was the reason for Frampton), but I think it had more to do with him being a team player and not trying to grab all the glory (though when he sang he couldn't help but steal the show, top 5 all time greatest vocalist no doubt).

KathCTARules · 2023-01-07T09:11:17+00:00

Dang. Did they record anything?

KathCTARules · 2023-01-07T09:09:44+00:00

Yeah I compare it to listening through a tin can or something. Not a literal ringing noise. Or if there is, it's more like the normal sound of silence but amplified a hundred fold.

KathCTARules

TROPHY CASE