Stop letting the Dentist shove opiates down your throat.

I was standing in my office in downtown St. Louis when my phone buzzed to let alert me that I had received a new text message. My best friend, Brandon Reid, had just had seen the Dentist and was leaving the appointment. He stopped to message me from his car. Brandon is a well-known leader within the social services arena and within the LGBT and recovery communities. His text caught me off-guard as I glanced at my phone.

Brandon:

OMG I’m at the dentist, They just prescribed me an opiate. I don’t know what to do.

Aaron:

Take Ibuprofen. Give the prescription back.

Brandon:

I know that…

Aaron:

Then why did you ask what you should do lol

Brandon:

Well I have a very serious infection in my tooth. They are concerned the pain is going to be intense. I am on antibiotics.

Aaron:

Is the pain bad? Worse than when you were dope sick in a St. Charles County jail cell?

Brandon:

No, lol. They said ONLY if I need it.

Aaron:

Don’t even fuck with that. Take Tylenol and Motrin.