Maybe I'm thinking in conspiracy theory mode, but why is it so relatively easy to get Hydrocodone/Vicodin through US OP's, yet getting Temgesic/Buprenorphine (which many could use after a disciplined tapering down schedule, as in set up a calendar with a schedule and following it religiously, then switching over to Temgesic) completely unavailable through US OP's?
It almost as if you're provided with the method to get you into a rehab clinic, and almost all are getting into this situation as a result of legitimate treatment for pre & post surgical analgesia. The treating physician's approach by far is to just cut off the medication, or they have no coherent plan or approach to tapering off the meds; in most cases they act as if it's something they'd rather not even deal or be bothered with. So successful professionals, housewives, etc. who start out being treated for a legitimate, serious and debilitatingly painful condition end up left off with a new form of discomfort & suffering.
I've asked my own PCP about tapering off & then switching to Temgesic a couple of times, and he acted as if he did not even want to discuss the subject. Another treating me for an extremely painful back problem at a Pain Management practice reacted in pretty much the same way.
My fundamental question is, why, if they have the medical alternatives to manage easing patients off of opioid meds, do MD's treat the issue as "verbotin" since the situation is so widespread (like Senator McCain's wife, and countless others). Many (or perhaps most) motivated, successful, high-profile professionals would see a 2-4 week stint in a Rehab clinic as so humiliating that they would prefer to hang themself in the basement or fill up their gas tank & park in their garage with a bottle of sleeping pills.
And on one reference site for Rx's, Hydrocodone is listed as the #1 prescription med as far as the number of scripts issued by MD's.
I'll end my diatribe here, and wait for your responses.