Lesson One: Just Say "No" to Drugs

Do We Really Want to “Kill” Our Pain?

Nobody enjoys pain. Pain is why we seek help when we are sick. If illness didn’t cause “dis-ease” (literally “lack of ease”) we would not be motivated to cure it. Pain, be it mild or severe, is the nearly universal symptom in all human affliction, whether it is physical or emotional; and our universal desire is to find relief from that suffering.

In answer to that desire, modern society affords us many convenient ways to relieve our pain. We have aspirin and Advil®, Tylenol® and Excedrin® for our ordinary aches and pains. There is Novocain for the dentist’s drill, narcotic drugs for surgery and accidents, and corticosteroids for chronic inflammation.

We also have many substances to help numb us to the mental, emotional, and spiritual pain we experience. Alcohol is a common substance people use to “medicate” themselves to avoid having to deal with unpleasant feelings. Tobacco is another drug of choice many people use to numb their emotional pains. Tranquilizers and other prescription medications, and various street drugs, are used by millions in an effort to escape their suffering. Even food is used to dull our senses to avoid facing the unpleasant experiences of life.

The problem with all these painkillers is that is just what they are—killers. None of these drugs (whether over-the-counter or prescription, legal or illegal) actually relieve the cause of our pain. They just numb us to it. They deaden our nerves and tissues so our brains don’t get the message that our body is suffering. In other words they “kill” part of the natural process of our body in order to shut off the message that something is wrong. There are even herbs that accomplish this purpose such as gelsemium or opium poppy. However, even when using herbs in this manner, all this approach does is create the illusion of pain relief. It does not actually fix the problem that is causing the pain.

Of course, we are not suggesting that these substances are wholly without merit. It would take more courage than most of us possess to submit to the dentist’s drill without first having that painkilling shot. Likewise, we can all be thankful for the drugs that ease pain after serious accidents. Who would desire to submit to surgery without a reliable anesthetic? Likewise, anyone who has experienced intense emotional or mental anguish will be slow to judge others who are burying the hurt from these experiences through addiction. Those who have experienced intense emotional and mental suffering know that these life experiences can overwhelm our capacity to cope at times.

The fact remains that nothing that deadens the sensibility of our bodies or artificially alters their function and chemistry really cures the cause of our pain. For instance, the various over-the-counter medications for headaches never stop us from getting headaches. They merely mask the current headache from our awareness, while the conditions that cause us to have headaches remain unresolved. The numbing effects of alcohol or marijuana never resolve problems in our relationships or fill the emptiness we sometimes experience in life.

It is tempting to see pain as an evil enemy who tortures his innocent victims (us) for no good reason—an enemy who needs to be totally obliterated. However, if pain has no reason, then the great Creator of All is cruel indeed for having made a universe that torments innocent creatures. Fortunately, this is not the case. So, while it may be tempting to affix the “blame” for suffering on God or the Devil, there really is a wise and merciful reason for pain.

The truth is really quite simple. We just get things convoluted and twisted around by ignoring what our bodies are trying to tell us. Pain, and its opposing force, pleasure, are teachers. Our bodies are designed in a very straightforward way. That which is good for our bodies brings the sensation of pleasure—while that which is harmful brings pain.