I used Fentanyl and I'm just fine.

So much for instant addiction.

My attitude towards illicit drug use has changed dramatically over time. Where I once “knew” that all drugs are bad and drug users are dangerous criminals, I now can’t say “never do drugs” with conviction. It’s not just the ample evidence that most drug users don’t ruin their lives. It’s also personal experience.

I know a staggering number of people who have used scheduled substances while leading successful and happy lives. I’m one of them.

You may have guessed the reason I used fentanyl; anesthetic. I needed surgery and the surgeon needed a sedated patient. In a pleasant change from past experience, the anesthetist explained exactly what he was injecting; fentanyl, ketamine, and propofol. He didn’t share the dosages but the cocktail was strong enough to leave a permanent gap in my memory.

In the midst of the “opioid epidemic” this experience shows the absurdity of common slogans about drug use.

Certain Drugs are Instantly Addictive

A common claim about heroin. If heroin has that power, it’s more potent cousin must be “super instantly addictive.” Perhaps fentanyl can even cause addiction before use, seducing people from afar like Sauron’s One Ring.

Doubtful. The dose of fentanyl alone may have been lower than recreational, given the inclusion of other drugs, but the combined effect was far greater than recreational. People look to get high, not black out and lose all sensation.

Shockingly, I haven’t been looking for a dealer. There was no withdrawal or onset of cravings. Instant addiction didn’t happen because that’s not how addiction works. Addiction is the product of altered brain chemistry and a single incident is not nearly enough to make that change.

Mixing Drugs is Deadly

Speedballing, the mixture of a stimulant and a depressant, is popularly considered a lethal activity. You know it killed John Belushi, right? Mixing drugs is meant to be an activity which even junkies find reckless.

Tell that to the anesthetist. Mixing drugs is not the problem. Ever had an Irish Coffee or Espresso Martini? Congratulations, you’ve micro-speedballed! The issue with mixing drugs is the same issue with using drugs. Without knowing the proper combined dose and potential interactions, you’re at risk.

Just Say No

Take a few minutes to watch a video of major surgery being performed. Watch how surgeons treat the clay which is our flesh. They’re rough as hell. They will jerk, shove, pull, twist, and whatever else is required to perform their work. Being awake for and sensitive to major surgery would be agony.

Is it a good idea to “Just say no” to anesthesia? More like insanity. Having had multiple surgeries and the accompanying physical trauma, let me tell you, fentanyl is a good, good drug.

If you find yourself thinking “That’s not what they mean”, you’re right! They mean “just say no to any drug which is provided illegally”. Not as punchy but a hell of a lot more accurate!

Yet we can be more accurate. We can tailor the slogan to provide reliable guidance for safe drug use. “Just say no to any drug unless you know what’s in it, know the risks, and are prepared to deal with the consequences.” Following that slogan wouldn’t stop someone from using drugs illegally yet could prevent drunk driving.

My use of fentanyl wasn’t safe because it was legal. It wasn’t safe because of the person administering it. It was safe because the dose and context maximized benefit while minimizing risks. We need to stop thinking about drugs in moral terms and let people tailor their use from a rational cost/benefit perspective.

I can neither recommend heroin use nor deny its benefits. Drug use should be an informed personal choice in every case.