👉Compare news coverage from around the world and across the political spectrum with Ground News: ground.news/feli Thanks for sticking with me through this difficult topic! Please feel free to share additional information, personal experiences, or opinions in the comments below. 🙏 Stay safe everyone!

After I had surgery, the nurses came into my room saying that it was time for my injection. I asked that it was. They gave me some big long Latin name. Not recognizing the name, I asked if it was narcotic. They said that it was. I told them that I would not have it. They went into my records documenting that I was combative and uncooperative. Later the doctor came in and asked why I was being a problem. I told him that I was not feeling the need for narcotics and I do not want them unless I really really need them. He asked me to take a couple of aspirin pills at least on the first day and we will see how things go from there. I went home from the hospital without taking any narcotics!!

My twin brother died this year from an opioid overdose. He was 38. It was really awful seeing him in a casket. You are never prepared for that.

I was a high school exchange student in PA when I was 16, I've now been living in the US again for 1.5 years as I got married here to an American. I also know quite a few people from high school that have died because of drugs. Even back then security guards would sometimes patrol the hallways of the school to make sure that no one spent too much time in the restrooms because students were known to take drugs there. That was already mind blowing to me. My husband had a ski accident 3 years ago where he broke his ankle and needed surgery. He told me that without ever being informed or without ever having consented, he woke up after the surgery, the nurse asked how he was doing, he said he was in a little bit of pain but nothing crazy, and she immediately gave him fentanyl through his IV before he even knew what was happening. He was also prescribed a narcotic for pain at home. He took it once and then caught himself thinking that he could take another one, even though he wasn't in pain yet at all or anything. Fortunately he had that awareness and as soon as he noticed that thought, he dumped the rest of the pills. It's just so crazy to me because I had a pretty similar surgery on my feet when I was still living in Germany. I got a local nerve block in my foot for the 2 days I was in the hospital. Then they just gave me ibuprofen 600mg to take home and I was absolutely fine. This whole thing is just completely insane to me...

The main difference to me between Germany and the US on this is that people in Germany can stay away from work when they are ill as long as needed. In the US people push themselves back to work - you see people with broken arms at work, or very old people - and they need pain killers to do that. As long as this doesn't change, people will feel they need pain killers to "function".

In January I took an opioid after a hip surgery. It was planned for the 6 days post surgery in the hospital but I only took it for four days. It's well known that this opioid can cause addiction problems after two weeks, so here (in Germany) it's generally not given to patients for more than a week Palliative care may be different, but that's another story. If somebody dies from cancer, it doesn't matter if they develop an opioid addiction.

I am a pharmacist in Germany and for me it is so crazy to think about it. The FDA is for a lot of aspects much stricter than its European counterpart. I still can't understand how this could happen. In Germany a opioid prescription is only valid for 8 days and has a serialnumber on it and is tracked by a federal authority. For each active ingredient there is a limit of how much can be prescribed per month for a patient. If a doctor goes over the limit he has to justify it. Great Video Feli!!

Living in Europe, I always knew US had a bigger drug problem, but never knew how bad it was. I was shocked to hear they give them even for when you get a tooth pulled. I only knew opioids as being given for extreme cases such as untreatable cancer. And in such situations they can be helpful. My grandfather was diagnosed with cancer 11 years ago and we was too weak to go through surgery or other cancer treatments, since he was suffering from many other health issues, so he was given opioids and he was able live the last almost 2 years of his life pain free. However in his case, that was the only option, since other pain medications did not work and his cancer was not treatable.

Thank you for this information. I was addicted to opioids for a while myself that began with a prescription. Eventually I stared buying them off the streets and doing anything I could to get what I needed. I ended up loosing a few really good jobs bc of it and eventually my wife called me out and I finally broke down asking for help. She got me to the help I needed & now 6 and half years later I’m still clean and living my best life and have the best relationship with my wife.

As a nurse, new doctors are super scared to prescribe opioids now in the hospital. It's so hard when someone is actually in pain to get something other than Tylenol, even if it's a home med. There is a balance between the two sides. I lost a cousin to an OD. I've taken care of numerous OD patients. Some made it, many did not. Addiction is real. It's definitely harder to get refills on pain meds in the last few years. I've seen a huge change in prescribing rates.

What an amazing informative video, as someone from England, we don't see fentanal addictions at all... It's scary how America has fell down this path. I do believe that the whole culture of making health care into a profitable business is core to the problem. I feel for anyone that has friends/family to this issue... It's sad 😢

I remember several years ago heroin addiction destroyed my life, I suffered from severe depression and a mental disorder until I was recommended to psilocybin mushroom treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly I'm 8 years clean now. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

Professor Ellsworth here. You did a wonderful job, Feli! Thank you for your attention to this very important topic. A+❤

I'm a fellow Cincinnatian. The opioid crise here, and in all of the US (but, it seems, especially hurtful in the Great Lakes States and nearby places like Kentucky) is out of control. I applaud you for having the courage to post this video. If it even saves one life (and I'm sure it's impact will be much more), think of your wonderful contribution to the health of our lovely metro, (and the broader US). Think of that one life - or many more - which you've saved by your courageous video - directly or through interventions encouraged by your video. I'm honored to call you a true Cincinnatian. This must have been difficult. Very well done, Feli. With love: Sehr gut gemacht.

As an American who lived in Deutschland for two years, I appreciate your channel and I still find myself watching German news online… Danke Schön!

My physiology must have been similar to yours, Feli. I hated the mental side effects and stopped taking the opiates half way through the prescription. I told the visiting nurse that I could not understand how people became addicted to them. She patiently explained that people who do not have addiction have a hard time understanding those who do. I felt immediately convicted by her words, and was thankful I was one of the lucky ones.

I gratefully celebrated ten years sober this august. I’m lucky I had access to good treatment. I started with a script that was perceived to be safe because that’s what my doctor told my parents. They didn’t educate them whatsoever that it’s addictive. This was a different time. At 14 years old I severely injured my back, they gave me 90 Percocet and 90 muscle relaxants each with 3 refills. Someone suggested I crush it to get the pain away faster. I knew it was probably a bad idea but I didn’t understand you could be physically and mentally addicted, it came from the doctor, it’s safe, I’ll just do it faster, I’ll just do it once. Needless to say I didn’t just take it once. At 16 I tore my mcl/acl and needed surgery. I used here and there between the first injury and the second but they gave me OxyContin, with refills for pain management as I recovered from the surgery. The rest is history as they say. They should be held accountable but they never will, despite blatantly lying and skewing the little data they had at the time. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

First, Feli. Thank you. Second, to the numerous stories below, my heart, love and prayers are with you. I'm 34 years old. After being a straight A honors student and varsity multi-sport athlete all four years of high school, being accepted into multiple prestigious Universities, my spring break of my Senior year ended in tragedy. My best friend, who was older than me by a couple years, was driving his dad's vehicle home one night after we left his girlfriends home. A drunk driver came along a curve on the road we were on, crossed the center line, and due to the convertible we were in, resulted in his vehicle taking roughly a quarter of my fiends, skull/etc. off in the incident. But he was still conscious, I sat on the side of the road watching someone I considered the older brother I never had, die, in my arms. I was injured too, but ignored it, it then got bad though, my college focus of Nuclear Pharmacy and job in retail pharmacy didn't help. I ended up abusing the opiates I was prescribed. Then stealing them. Then because of that ultimately sacrificing my dream career and degree, because of the need to feed my addiction. To cover the pain I had in my heart, my soul, and my own physical injuries. That precipitated a downward spiral. Within 3 years of being accepted into the Purdue Pharmacy program on my SAT scores alone and offered multiple sports scholarships, I found myself a homeless heroin addict. My parents, amazing, successful professionals didn't know what to do. Rehab after expensive rehab didn't work. Detox after detox didn't work. I overdosed and had to be defibrillated twice, waking up to the voice of a paramedic "I can't f*cking believe it.... He's alive. Oh my God, he's actually alive." But even that wasn't enough... It wasn't until one morning as I sat in a Walmart parking lot, detoxing, with the last $20 to my name, wondering if I was going to stick a needle in my arm again, or fill my car with gas... Watching the sunrise over Northern Indiana, I asked myself, "Michael, this is it for you? Seriously? This is your life. What it's become bro. Really. So much for so little? This can't be the end of the story" I decided no, it wasn't. I checked myself into a detox for the very last time. 5 days later, my first 3 hours released consisted of going to my neighbor and best friends funeral, who had died from an overdose, while he was in a sober living facility. I haven't turned back since. That was 12 years on September 13th of this year. *Every single day, every moment free of it is a step in the right direction.* I went back to school, graduated top of my class, and am now a more successful than I truly deserve, I'm a commercial real estate broker... But more importantly, I have many loved ones, friends, Godchildren, and so many people and amazing parts of my life that I truly thank God for each and every day. And I'll never, ever go back. *I am far more blessed than I deserve.* When I tell them my story, people are often surprised by the man they see before them, that I lived like that, they say "I literally can't imagine you that way." Then I show them the scars from all the needles, still there, 12+ years later. Some at times, have even asked me, "do (you) ever think about it again?" The answer is a fat no. NO. NO. NO It's not an option for me. Never will be. And I'm so thankful I am where I am, and lived through that, but also lived through it when I did before the rise of fentanyl and the scurge and scare it has become. To anyone out there struggling, YOU CAN DO IT. If any of you need help DM me. I'm here for you. YOU can do this.

I had a similar experience to yours a couple of years ago, I hurt my back and was prescribed Percocet, being naïve and trusting my doctor, I took them as indicated for a time. Not gonna lie, the "high" was pretty pleasant. Then I started to notice that after a few hours or so after my last pill, I would begin to feel sick. Long story short, I was actually experiencing (admittedly, very minor) symptoms of opiate withdrawal. I made the conscious effort stop taking those pills, and I feel like I dodged a major bullet so to speak. Last year when I was recovering from surgery, the nurses were all kind of a bit shocked when I was offered Diluaded and politely declined and asked for Ibuprofen and/or Acetaminophen instead.

I was addicted to Heroin and Benzos and i live in germany. And the only reason why it was even possible to become clean was that we can get substitution medication like subuxone or methadone or polamidone almost for free. I lived on the street for two years and i 100% wouldn‘t have made it without these doctors that at least check in on you from time to time. Without these doctors taking me to a hospital i would have died of sepsis. I cant imagine how bad it must be to be an addict in the us. My heart goes out to you ❤

This is not only the best presentation of yours I have seen on KZfaq; it is by far the best, most succinct, persuasive and effective presentation I have seen anyone make on America’s opioid problem! Welcome to your new home!

I grew up in Los Angeles County in California, and I definitely was exposed to the dangers of drug use, and I often recall seeing people high or doing drugs on the streets. In 1998, I joined the US Army and I got stationed near Frankfurt am Main, Germany. I can recall many times walking around Frankfurt and seeing many people high on drugs or shooting up, although it was often usually concentrated in one area, mainly near the Bahnhofsviertel in Frankfurt. Even now, if you go to Stadtzentrum or Bahnhofsviertel in Frankfurt, you will see a lot of the same thing. The opium and drug abuse epidemic is not only rampant in the United States, but it's also an issue in Germany, at least in certain places. I do, however, believe that there are, in fact, less instances of drug abuse in Germany (at least less instances per 1,000 people) because of things like access to universal healthcare, access to mental healthcare, and a strong sense of community that fights against rampant poverty and generalized hopelessness. The American individualism focus of thought keeps us from effectively fighting against drug abuse. Also, it is possible that the over criminalization of drug USE and individual possession, keeps those that need help from obtaining help out of fear of imprisonment. Although, I'm not sure what Germany's stance is on use or individual possession, whether or not they get the user help or simply imprison them. I believe that if America could become more community oriented, like Germany, maybe then we could get our statistics down to what Germany has, and maybe even lower. Individualism is a nice thing, but maybe focusing on one's self, while ignoring our neighbor, is the issue. What are your thoughts?

My compliments to you, Feli, for your well researched information that utilizes respected, bona fide sources. As usual, your presentation is fluid, fluent, and top notch including useful graphics. Please keep up the good work, especially on such important topics to society. I'm pleased to see someone your age intelligently emphasizing the significance of these issues and drawing comparisons as appropriate with other nations.

Feli thanks for talking about this. You are clearly a rational, thoughtful and compassionate person. That's wonderful I'm so glad you thought to question the pain medication you were prescribed and found an alternative.

I love that you are doing this type of content from time to time. It's so nice to hear information that a lot of people are ignorant of because they don't or won't hear this through their normal chosen media. Thank you for your public service ♥️

I live across the river in Kentucky, and you were spot on about the pill mills. I dated a guy who went to one in Louisville (recently busted). When they closed them in eastern Kentucky, they did nothing to help those who were hooked and left them to fend for themselves. It’s insanely sad what Purdue Pharma did to Appalachia, and I don’t think in any of our lifetimes will we see a change.

I’ve been wounded multiple times in the Army in my 4 deployments. When my back was broken in 2005, I developed a wicked opioid addition. It reached a point where I couldn’t function without percs. A great doctor in the Army at Ft. Bliss worked with me to ween me off meds, and eventually, I quit pain killers all together. Now, I only take ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen when I NEED it. And usually after I’ve tried more holistic treatments first.

Thank you for making a video about this topic. I lost my brother 1 year ago this week to opioids. I don’t blame people for getting trapped by these horrific drugs because a lot of the time people get hooked on these things either were prescribed opioids from a doctor after an injury or it’s their decision by emotional injury. The biggest issue I came across was not being able to afford sending him to a rehab center as well as he felt that he couldn’t escape it. I’m sorry to anybody that has lost a loved one, I hope our wounds can heal from this..

The words from a high school classmate of mine still resonates with me 50 years later; as he said this in a class where drug abuse was discussed: 'A guy I know of that uses heroin told me that when he first started, he assumed he could always quit the drug before getting hooked.' Such a cautionary tale one could follow to this day.

Feli, I'm neither German or a US citizen but I watch your videos often. This, in my opinion is the best and most informative video I have seen of yours to date. They are usually amusing and sometimes surprising but up to now have not combated the serious differences between Europe and the US. I do like the light hearted comparisons and it's what draws me to your channel but a slight wake-up call video like this one niw and again may do everyone a favour.

Feli, I am very grateful and proud of you for this KZfaq post. This information is known... has been known yet little has been done to really stop this plague. Thank you again for this insightful view!!

Wow. What a big topic. I am glad you made this video. This topic needs all the light shed on it as possible. Lots of people refuse to acknowledge this. I am happy you are. Maybe you could help spur the real change that is needed.

@Feli ... Vielen Dank. Thank you very much for this episode. Your thorough research, your balanced approach, and most notably, your compassion on this and other tragic and vexing issues is much appreciated. You seriously elevate the level of knowledge and discourse on social media. Thank you.

No one in the phar. industry will mention this (on their own), follow the money. Thank you for your dedication

Great video, Feli ! Spreading such information is actually one of the most important measures to help people.

You are to be commended for bringing such serious content to the forefront!

Thank you for covering this topic. This is such an awful and sad situation. Hopefully with more people talking about it, not only people will be helped directly, but also actions will be taken against the corporations and the doctors behind it.

Feli, I've been watching your videos for a few years and the scripting, pacing and delivery of your "serious" videos are top notch. I can see this channel moving far beyond what you originally intended. Weiter so!

Hi Feli, I've been watching your channel for a few years and I believe that this is your best video yet. I was in the hospital several years ago and was prescribed "Oxy Cotton Candy" after surgery for pain management. By the third dose I realized that a couple of those and a cup of coffee in the morning would make for a real fine day. It was shocking to see just how many doses they wrote the prescription for when I was discharged. I stopped after the third dose but I completely understand how people can fall victim to this stuff, it is so easy. THANK YOU for using your platform to raise awareness to this epidemic! Perhaps you may have just saved the lives of some of your subscribers.

I'm also one of those fortunate people that opioids make us either sick or violently ill. I've had multiple situations where I've either had surgery or or something similar - broken bones, etc., and the doc has prescribed some opioid or another, but I've learned that virtually everyone in my family has the same reaction - nausea and lightheartedness to varying degrees... yes, it kills or dulls the pain, but the other side-effects are so bad that everyone in my family would rather deal with the pain instead! Like you, I'm off of that stuff ASAP and switch to Ibuprofen and/or Tylenol and I star feeling better almost immediately. Honestly, I've never felt any euphoria of any sort when I've had opioids - it's a horrible experience every time. ...and honestly - thank God that my family appears to be genetically blessed with this aversion. All that said, watching my whole nation being consumed by this is both tragic and infuriating - the feeling of helplessness is depressing. I'm glad you're bringing this to a greater light and raising awareness.

Feli, your videos on more serious topics are pure gems! Thank you.

Cincinnatian here. This is a really good overview of this unfortunate situation we find ourselves in. I teach at Cincinnati Public Schools, and I've seen the effects of this on the families across the city. Thank you.

Thanks, Feli, for the thorough summary of the US opioid abuse crisis, which opened my eyes further to its severity. And, thanks also for sharing your wrist surgery’s pain relief approach by your doctor, as this shows that opioid-related patient - and physician - education continues to be needed.

You do a really good job at these kinds of video's. Made me cry. No easy fix for this.

Omg... Youve been one of my favorite creators on this app that talks about addiction in the US AND you live in my home city! I hope Cincinnati is treating you well! And THANK YOU SO MUCH for spreading awareness about Ground!

A really good report. I admire the amount of time you must have spent in researching this topic! I recently had a knee replacement, and other than the first hours after surgery, I declined any more opioids. I had heard of too many abuse stories to want to risk taking more.

Hallo Feli Ich finde das sehr mutig und toll, dass du dieses Thema ansprichst. Persönlich war mir die Tragweite nicht bekannt. Das Video hast du Super umgesetzt, sogar die Musik hat perfekt gepasst. Da hast du viel Arbeit und Herzblut reingsteckt. Ein grosses Lob meinerseits! Gruss aus der Schweiz Remo

Feli, this has been very well done. You’ve done an excellent job. Thank you.

I appreciate the time and effort that you put into this video. Your personal experience and the sensitivity toward others by not judging them was quite moving to me. I’ve seen people destroyed by drugs and I feel bad that I can only try to make them feel good about themselves when they are clean and I feel devastated when they relapse. I applaud people that are able to overcome their addiction, however, I feel they are too few. Street dealers only care about money. If a person dies, they just find another.

I like this channel almost about his funny and humourous way representing such a big bunch of different topics and culture clashes. But when Feli does a video about some real serious topic, the increase in quality and information is incredible. A lot of respect to Felicia!

Absolut sehenswert und informativ liebe Feli. Dieses Video war dein bisher bestes. Hervorragend recherchiert und vor allem wertneutral. Ich finde es toll das du auch solche sensible Themen behandelst .

Feli, I have followed your channel for a long time, at least a couple of years before the name change, without actually subscribing. I really like your videos, but this video is the best you have done. You got my sub today, I like this journalistic style, and the bravery to tackle a serious subject. I would not expect you to chance your channel overnight, but I definitely appreciate you stepping out of your comfort zone.

Extraordinary good video. Information and reports like this we need much more to fight this horrible killer, which is destroying thousands of families every year. I have watched nearly all of your shows and like them very much, but this one is the best. I'm so proud of you for this and I hope many people will watch it. Thank you and keep up your fantastic work. ❤

Feli that was an extremely informative report. I always look forward to your videos, but this one was very well researched. I am in Northern Ireland. We have problems with drugs here, just like everywhere, but it was a real eye-opener for me to see just how bad it is in America.

My mother died from Targin (Oxycodone + Naloxone) and I am from Germany. Here, people don't die physically as quickly because the antidote is mixed in directly. But mentally they die within the first year of use and then the physical and mental side effects kill people over a long period of time. My mother was given the stuff for five years and died miserably. Thanks for your work and greetings from Germany 🌻

Thank You Feli for this necessary video. Side remark: Ben, Your calm and soothing voice is very suited as a backstage voice ;-) for Felis videos

Great essay, Feli. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I'd love to see an extensive piece on how the drug crisis is being handled in Germany.

So gutes Video, eins der besten von dir und ich lieb all deine Videos! Perfekt recherchiert, super geschnitten und einfach auch der Hintergrund und die Soundeffekte. Und so interessant! Danke 😊

Thank you for covering this serious topic. It’s so sad going onto the streets of any major American cities (I live in one of the big five) and seeing tweakers everywhere, with no one wanting to help them and some being outright disgusted. I’m glad that at least the government seems to want to hold Perdue accountable in this instance. Hopefully justice will be served for those poor families

I have lost both my sister and my sister in law (2 different northern states) in the past year. I come from a wealthy beach town on the SE coast of Fl. Its shocking the amount of classmates, childhood friends that have died in the past 10 yrs.😢

Thankyou Feli for bringing this problem to everyday awareness. You're a hero for your courage. I hope this will convince doctors to rethink their over prescription of opioids especially fentanyl.

Thank you so much for sharing your surgery story, Feli ❤ So many people can't image how little information people get from doctors before being prescribed anything and how little a bit too many doctors make sure that their patients are even able at the time to understand that they intend on prescribing them opioids or even especially strong opiods. It's so important to talk about this - this needs to change. Also, currently we are in a time of opioidphobia and - philia at the same time ... Another thing that makes things difficult: There are two kinds of addiction, physical and psychological addiction. When you only take opioids for a short amount of time and generally are mentally stable (as in: enjoy building a satisfactory life for yourself and others) it's very unlikely that you will get any addiction. When you take opioids for a longer amount of time you WILL get physically addicted. But physical addiction doesn't mean that your thoughts and feelings change. If you are mentally stable, are generally reasonable and listen to your doctor who is aware of their responsibility then you can stop the physical addiction once you don't need the prescription any longer by just taking less and less opioids. The problem is that most physicians don't have the close relationship with their patients that we would hope for. Most of them don't know about the true personal circumstances of a patient's life. So generally most doctors either assume that everyone is 100% stable or that most people are rather unstable. They aren't able to distinguish between the ones who can responsibly be prescribed with strong medication and the ones who can't because they are at a risk of developing a psychological dependency. So it comes down to whether a person can accurately assess themself, be wary of the risks and ask doctors the right questions about whether this medication is right for them. But this isn't our job as patients. We shouldn't need to weigh the risks ourselves, our doctors should assist us in that since they have gone to medical school, they should help us by asking the right questions. But yeah, overall a terrible situation ....

I'm glad you have someone like Ben who knows the score and can help guide you.

Wow, Feli, that was heavy -- and IMPORTANT. And it might even prove to be super EFFECTIVE because of your channel's normal rep for interesting, light-hearted, just-plain-cool content. I'm thinking, if you could devote about 5-10% of your output to such important themes, you might become a powerful -- and powerfully POSITIVE -- voice among the young people of the country you like so much.

Love this video, Felix. It was extremely well done. Shared it on my Facebook. And it's ironic you showed footage of the Revere (MA) Fire Department (at 20:15). I use to live in that town. It was hit hard with opioids. I absolutely refused to take them.

I feel for the people out there who developed dependencies and addictions to opioids. I was very fortunate that, in the 3 or 4 times I was prescribed opioids for injuries and painful surgeries, I never felt the desire to continue using them for more than a few days before tossing them out. Stay strong, all those recovering from their addictions. You've got this

I know exactly what Ben is talking about. I live in Louisville, KY where fentanyl is mostly a street drug. But in the small towns and rural areas doctors are prescribing it like candy. Our local media is constantly reporting on it. A personal story: not long ago I had extensive dental work. I asked the dentist about pain once the numbness wore off. All she said was "Tylenol". I was surprised but didn't argue. But it caused me to think that 10 or 20 years ago I probably would have been prescribed one of the painkillers mentioned in your video. That's how easy it is (or was) to become addicted. BTW, great job. You shoulda been a journalist!

Good and informative. One of the best videos you've ever made!

Thank you for covering this important topic. Your insights were excellent!

You really did a good job with this presentation on drugs in America. You gave a very informative history of opioids and how they evolved into their present day form. I think you could do well in the broadcast field. I had a very good friend die from his use of opioids. I learned some things! Thank you.

That was very informative, Feli. Thank you for it. Actually, drug-abuse was very common in my little ole village in Germany. Both my brothers died, one being an ex-heroin-user and the other one being an alcoholic. Many of my oldest brother‘s friends also used heroin. Some of them died, others were able to get clean from this terrible drug. My brother was able to stop using heroin, but he was always struggling with some kind of addiction. Guess what I learned from growing up with my brothers is that I would never ever lose control over my own use of substances. It is that simple. However, I didn‘t know how severe the drug problem in the US is. It makes me sad how this problem is apparently homemade. I wish for the US that there will be the possibility to reverse this somehow. Maybe your video will be one little step to start it.

Thanks for doing this topic!

Thanks Feli for sticking up for us 💙 you are awesome!!!

Excellent video, Feli! As we depend on relatively superficial news coverage of the US opioid crisis here in Germany, your indepth view is very helpful. Moreover it does help to understand, why we lost Matthew Perry.

This was an excellent summary of this issue. As someone who has never experienced healthcare in other countries though, ( particularly talking about Europe which is more closely associated with your background) it’d be interesting to hear how these things are dealt with there and what maybe the US could learn from. Great video, love your channel!

Excellent presentation Feli, very informative.

I love your channel because you’re not afraid to highlight some of the darker aspects of American and German cultures, well done

While its not opioid, i am an alcoholic and i try to relate to anyone struggling, i get judged a lot, its always people who have never had an addiction, all we can do is rub shoulders friends

What a good video! Even if this channel is mainly about german learning, you still make videos about wildly different topics that are very interesting and well made, cool! I'm subbing

Very well covered. Thank you, Feli. I've known a few people affected long term by prescription opioids. At least one of them has managed to free themselves of the addiction and return to a normal life with their family. The others, I just don't know. I had to distance myself as my support was just enabling them and making things worse.

Thank you for sharing this really important message with us 😢

I really appreciate you bringing awareness to this topic, Feli. I work as a Paramedic in Canada, so the drug problem isn't nearly as bad, but it's still way worse than what you see in Europe. It can affect anyone. I've attended patients from all walks of life - 16 year old girls overdosing on fentanyl, 70 year olds who took too much vicodin, gangbangers on a 3 day meth binges, Cowboys relasping after a back injury sent them into addiction, successful businessmen dead while grasping a bottle of pills. And it's only getting worse with new drugs coming out, like Xylazine and U-4470. It's a problem that will take a long term to remedy, but it starts with compassion and kindness to those suffering with addiction.

Clean and sober 33 years...One day at a time. Appreciate you bringing attention to the problem.

This was very well done. Great JOB!!!!!

I remember a change in how the medical professionals would talk to you, back in the late 1990's - suddenly every time I went in for an appointment, no matter why I was there, the first question I was asked was always, "what's your pain level?" with an amount of earnest-ness that I couldn't understand. I was like, "well my knee hurts today, but I'm here for a PaP, so maybe we just get on with that?" 🤣 The first time I remember taking an opioid, I felt like there was a creeping mist curling around me, pulling me towards it, whispering to take it again. It was creepy as heck and I was like, "fffffuuuuuudge that!" I totally see how people would become dependent on it. I'm also lucky in that it also made me feel pretty ill. In general it seems that this generation of medical professionals have been taught that pain of any kind is unacceptable. So if a patient says, "no" it's taken as going AMA (Against Medical Advice). Instead of being treated as a conversation to be had, the patient is treated like they're being combative and confrontational.

I also stopped taking my pain meds after back surgery... just 1 made me vomit almost immediately... My family lost my younger brother earlier this year to Fentanyl, it is everywhere and sad. Stay safe out there and hug your loved ones.

This is the best video you've ever done! I had a somewhat similar experience to yours, Feli. I also quickly recognized that my sickness was caused by the vicodin the dentist gave me. I immediately stopped taking it and flushed them down the toilet.

Hi, Feli. I love your videos! I had a major spinal surgery very recently, about a month ago, it was a revision and expansion of a previous lumbar spinal fusion. My entire lower spine was drilled into (to remove broken screws) and disassembled, then repaired and expanded with more rods and screws. (This is not because of any injury, it's simply a degenerative - hereditary - spinal condition that I have. This was my fifth spinal surgery.) Because of my surgeon's daily diagnosis of my recovery, I spent six days in the hospital - which is kind of excessive in the US. Then, I was released from the hospital with a prescription for only 5 days of opioid pain medications (at the lower dosage.) I was in so much pain that I made sure to take them exactly as prescribed (every 6 hours), along with ibuprofen and acetaminophen in between, because it was just so painful. At the 5-day mark I asked for more, but I asked for a specific weaker type of narcotic pain medication. At that point, I was completely cut off by the state of NJ for requesting too many narcotic pain medications (and my doctor's office had to work to get their "flag" removed. This was not only surprising, but also upsetting. While I don't want to develop any addictions, I was still in serious pain. At this point, now at a month or so since my surgery, I can mostly manage with just over-the-counter solutions like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, but those first 2-3 weeks were EXTREMELY difficult. I understand that the state is trying to severely limit the amount of opioids prescribed due to addiction issues, but this bordered on almost cruel. US insurance plans will generally not allow longer hospital stays (where they usually medicate you properly) for even major surgery (due to cost,) but to perform a major spinal surgery and then send someone home without proper pain relief seems absurd. I don't know what the correct answer is here, but I think that instead of being mandated by state laws, doctors should be able to prescribe appropriate medications based on the extent of surgery performed, as well as professional judgement. I'm sure that I did not need like 30 full days of opioid medication, but this whole experience could have been much better.

Hey Feli! My uncle was a doctor who ran a pain management clinic here in the US from 1996 to about 2005, and I worked there for a couple years. At least in those days, it was pretty common for a medical professional to accept pharmaceutical companies at their word (that's why we have the SEC, right?), and he really and truly believed he was doing right by his patients. And for many, perhaps he was, but I'm sure if I could get back in touch with his former patients, some of them would have similar stories. Hindsight is 20/20, right? He passed away a few years ago to congestive heart failure. I would have loved to show him your video and get his opinion on this. Thanks for your ever-detailed research. 👍

Great and informative video, Feli! Like everything in the US these days, this issue has become politicized but in the end, it should be a unifying topic. We need to fix this major issue! We need to de-incentivize opioid use and make sure physical and mental health care are readily available to those that need it.

Edit: Thanks for this video Feli. Been a long time viewer. Love your content and was astounding to see how you made a video on such a heavy topic with such grace and professionalism. This could definitely be an idea for a new type of channel and content for you. Long form, deep cutting videos getting to the heart of societal issues. You definitely have a flair for it, going by this video. --- Original comment I knew the opioid crisis in the US was bad: particularly in California, but damn, Hearing that your boyfriend personally lost at least 9 school mates his age thus far really hits hard. It's also important to note, while states like KY have higher per capita issues, California, Oregon, New York, Washington and other states with larger populations have much higher issues overall. KY, being a large state with relatively low population comparatively to say, CA... thousands could take drugs and you'd never see a sign. CA on the other hand, large populations in close proximity in huge cities, you can't even walk the streets without seeing used needles littered all over the place. Example: 1000 people living on a span of a few blocks, say 10% of them are addicted, that's going to be over 100 addicts, on just a few blocks. In KY, those 100 people would be spread out a dozen of miles of land. Which leads to another issue: AIDS and HIV. How many addicts are using dirty needles because they're literally just lying on the streets? Is this having any effect on the numbers of people suffering AIDS/HIV? The US government's HIV department (theres an official dedicated hiv gov website) don't even really know. They estimate 12% of people with HIV don't even know they have it. If they don't know, then how does the gov know? Because they're guessing. If they're guessing, then realistically, that number could even be far below the actual truth. Are HIV/AIDS deaths even counted in the opioid crisis death figures? I'm going to take a wild guess and say no. The US is in crisis, and let's be real. Joe Biden doesn't care. His own son smuggled opioids into the white house and there's no consequences whatsoever. Biden literally takes campaign contributions from the companies pushing opioids on us, as well as the doctors who prescribe them. The entire crisis is one which infests politics at every single level. And people expect us to trust doctors and big pharma to tell us their vaccines have no side effects and are "safe and effective". Welcome to 2023. It's a shit show.

Thanks Feli, for bringing it to the table. It is not only drugs problem, but the secondary effect along the addiction : violence and destruction. I don't feel even safe in my home. Authorities, communities an do government are ignoring the problem .

Feli is a wonderful presenter with a bright future. I look forward to seeing how she evolves.

I have had significant life quality affecting back pain for many decades now. Until 2015, I was able to obtain a legal prescription for hydrocodone (a derivative of oxy). My doctor would give me a prescription for 30 pills and they would last me a year or more. I only used them when absolutely necessary. It made my quality of life so much better. I could play with my kids and grandkids; I could go hiking and swimming; I could make love with my wife… all pain free. Since 2015, I have not been able to get a prescription because of the “danger of addiction”. Well, if enjoying a pain free life is an addiction, I am an addict. I wonder how many people like me who can use them responsible and under medical supervision have to live in pain rather that having to jump through hoops because of undervaluing a pain free life? To be clear, I do not buy illegal drugs. I just forego so many things that would make my life so much more enjoy. But I NEVER was prescribed 5 pills every 6 hours!!!

We lost my son to a heroin overdose in 2000, he was 20. 😢 He was prescribed oxycontin after having his wisdom teeth removed, became addicted, and switched to heroin when he couldn't get oxy. It makes me very sad and angry that drug companies put profits ahead of people.

Incredible video, thank you for the amazing content.

Thank you for this video and sharing your experience, Feli. We are planning to move to US and this topics are very serious to know for us before.

Feli you are so incredible at documentary-type videos, especially with this one. You are so amazing :D. Thanks for bringing awareness to this horrible problem. Purdue is such a horrible company man...

The really frustrating part is that there are SO many other options for pain management, especially in a situation like surgery (where the surgeon can actually implant pain meds at the site to get you through those first rough 12-24 hours). Opioids are only one piece of a much larger pain management suite of tools. Some of those tools are less convenient for doctors, as they require either more time with the patient up front, or more time later.

Great informative video! Thanks Feli!