I really hate how the medical industry pits chronic pain patients against each other while the strongest profit.

My doctor always praises me as one of "the good ones" because my ($50 each!) urine tests come back as they should, and it always makes me so uncomfortable.

I'm not good. I have different challenges than some other patients.

Imagine a world where I didn't have to pay for these urine tests and where a "bad" result meant you got care and counseling rather than punitive measures.

But instead they pit us against each other. "Ooh, sorry, you can't have your meds because of some Bad Apples."

No, I can't have my meds because of greedy insurance companies and shitty social attitudes towards pain and addiction.

When someone with power tells you you're one of the Good Ones, it's a trap to get you to not notice their power.