DUEL with the DEVIL
Viewing comments for Chapter 9 "DUEL with the DEVIL - Chapter 9"The problem of creating a non-addictive painkiller
19 total reviews
Comment from Wendy G
How easy it is to become addicted to opioids, and how hard to cope with chronic pain without it. And so begins a life of crime. It will be interesting to see what happens next as there will inevitably be dramas and ethical questions raised. Well done. Looking forward to more.
Wendy
reply by the author on 30-Jun-2024
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How easy it is to become addicted to opioids, and how hard to cope with chronic pain without it. And so begins a life of crime. It will be interesting to see what happens next as there will inevitably be dramas and ethical questions raised. Well done. Looking forward to more.
Wendy
Comment Written 30-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 30-Jun-2024
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Yes, too easy, as they are ripe for abuse. That's the problem when one drug can provide both pain relief and pleasure at the same time. It will become Brian's quest to exclude the pleasure from the pain relief. We'll see if he's successful.
Comment from Thesis
I'm interested to see where this is going. It doesn't feel like it is going to end well for him getting addicted to this drug, lying, and covering everything up.
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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I'm interested to see where this is going. It doesn't feel like it is going to end well for him getting addicted to this drug, lying, and covering everything up.
Comment Written 29-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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His will be a life of ups and downs for a while as he battles with his addiction.
Comment from royowen
It seems to me that Brian is smart, but isn't possessed of any wisdom, drugs must be a one way ticket to oblivion, one way or another, I must any addiction probably is. It is always needs servicing, so I'm effect it's an idol. Beautifully written Jim, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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It seems to me that Brian is smart, but isn't possessed of any wisdom, drugs must be a one way ticket to oblivion, one way or another, I must any addiction probably is. It is always needs servicing, so I'm effect it's an idol. Beautifully written Jim, blessings Roy
Comment Written 29-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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That's an interesting and accurate way to look at drugs, Roy--an idol that must be serviced. Let's see if he has to keep servicing it forever or if he can break the hold it has on him.
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It would be sad if he didn?t stop
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
It really is quite a wonder drug isn't it? No wonder people get hooked as it takes away the pain and brings on this euphoric sense that patients are back to normal. Of course this will be short-lived as the body's natural hormones and defences shut down. Brian is inadvertently getting himself deeper and deeper into dependency, dishonesty and crime. You've skilfully achieved this deterioration which is credible and understandable. As ever, a faultless chapter of perfect length and pace and always building character through excellent dialogue. Plus good knowledge of the drug concerned, making it a compelling read. Well done, Jim! Debbie
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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It really is quite a wonder drug isn't it? No wonder people get hooked as it takes away the pain and brings on this euphoric sense that patients are back to normal. Of course this will be short-lived as the body's natural hormones and defences shut down. Brian is inadvertently getting himself deeper and deeper into dependency, dishonesty and crime. You've skilfully achieved this deterioration which is credible and understandable. As ever, a faultless chapter of perfect length and pace and always building character through excellent dialogue. Plus good knowledge of the drug concerned, making it a compelling read. Well done, Jim! Debbie
Comment Written 29-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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It is quite a drug, but you've nailed the problem with it. I discuss this very issue in a coming chapter about a single drug producing both pain relief and pleasure at the same time and the problems that causes. What's needed is a drug that does the former extremely well, but not the latter. As you might guess, that's where the novel will be going.
Thanks for your great review, Debbie.
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My mother was diagnosed, by a process of elimination, with polymyalgia rheumatica (she'd never had rheumatic pain in her life). She was treated with strong steroids and initially believed them to be the answer because she felt 'more alive' than she'd felt in a long time. This wasn't a short-term boost but a treatment she was on until she died, suffering from all sorts of side-effects which had to be countered by other medication. Clearly her natural hormones were suppressed after a while and she became dependent on them. These pharmaceutical companies have a lot to answer for.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
You've been too dependent on the pills up 'til now (AMEN!!!) I knew Brian would figure out how to get more Oxy. Not at all good. Thank you for sharing this story. Although fictional it happens way to often.
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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You've been too dependent on the pills up 'til now (AMEN!!!) I knew Brian would figure out how to get more Oxy. Not at all good. Thank you for sharing this story. Although fictional it happens way to often.
Comment Written 29-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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Sad to say, but you're right. The thing that will make this a little different is that he will seek a real cure for this, or so he thinks it might be.
Comment from tfawcus
You're building up a few serious problems for Brian here. It looks as though his world is about to come crashing down around his ears again soon. Dependency can be hard to break.
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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You're building up a few serious problems for Brian here. It looks as though his world is about to come crashing down around his ears again soon. Dependency can be hard to break.
Comment Written 29-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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Right you are, Tony. His life will be a series of ups and downs for a while, as he learns to cope with his addiction. Whether or not he ever finds a lasting solution is yet to be determined. (In my own mind, for I haven't written it yet.)
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Well written, of course.
This is hard to read, having friends hooked on crap. I owned a low-rent trailer park and saw too many addicted people. I've also been injured a number of times and while everyone has different degrees of pain tolerance, you just suck it up. That's just what you do.
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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Well written, of course.
This is hard to read, having friends hooked on crap. I owned a low-rent trailer park and saw too many addicted people. I've also been injured a number of times and while everyone has different degrees of pain tolerance, you just suck it up. That's just what you do.
Comment Written 29-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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I know how you must feel. I don't have similar experience with friends, but I'm sure it is difficult to watch them. I was once sort of hooked on pot in my 20s, but that was not physically addictive and was easy to quit when my children were born, and I had a persistent case of bronchitis. My addictions today are more along the lines of food and playing chess online.
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relatively harmless - present addictions (smiley face here)
Comment from BethShelby
I cringe when I think of anyone getting hooked on anything even when it is just a story. I guess I might have been almost hooked on my one cup of coffee a day because since I had to guit because it the dental implants I seem to keep low grade headache. Your character has two things that could get im in trouble. Beside the drug addiction they the paperwriting. He is evidently really booksmart but not so smart in other ways;
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reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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I cringe when I think of anyone getting hooked on anything even when it is just a story. I guess I might have been almost hooked on my one cup of coffee a day because since I had to guit because it the dental implants I seem to keep low grade headache. Your character has two things that could get im in trouble. Beside the drug addiction they the paperwriting. He is evidently really booksmart but not so smart in other ways;
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Comment Written 29-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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It has been a devastating problem these past few years--especially with opioids. This novel will be his attempt to find a solution to the problem.
Comment from Rachelle Allen
Oh my! I'm so sorry I somehow missed the first eight chapters of this (I've been on vacation from teaching the entire month of June; obviously, I've been asleep at the FS wheel!!)
Anyway, Bobby and I are leaving town for a few days, but I'll be back on Tuesday and will be able to catch up with this story then. I read a similar tale by Barbara Kingsolver recently called Demon Copperhead. I found it riveting, and this one already is, as well.
xoxo
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reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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Oh my! I'm so sorry I somehow missed the first eight chapters of this (I've been on vacation from teaching the entire month of June; obviously, I've been asleep at the FS wheel!!)
Anyway, Bobby and I are leaving town for a few days, but I'll be back on Tuesday and will be able to catch up with this story then. I read a similar tale by Barbara Kingsolver recently called Demon Copperhead. I found it riveting, and this one already is, as well.
xoxo
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 29-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 29-Jun-2024
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If you'd prefer, you can easily catch up by reading the brief recaps of the previous chapters that I begin each posting with. I would, however, read the brief Prologue which takes place in present day, and he's 32. Part 1 shows how he got to that point by starting back when he was 12 years old.
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No, I enjoy your writing very much. I'll gladly read from the beginning. xo
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I'm flattered. Thank you!
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It's not flattery if it's true. xo