Moggies were the Prosecco to Mandrax’s Champagne, and these great hypnotics were replaced by Rohypnol, itself replaced, tragically for insomniacs, with the modern bloody Z-drugs (Zolpidem and Zopiclone), which are both useless against chronic sleeplessness, and are very dangerous.
Given the fantasy choice of old school barbiturates (Tuinal, Quaaludes etc), Mandrax, heroin, Tramadol, dihydrocodeine, or morphine, I’d take a lifetime supply of morphine every time.
The most mellow, serene, comforting and somehow ‘clean’ narcotic of all, for me. Every time I’ve taken it, it’s been like the missing piece from my psychological and physical jigsaw has been put back into its place, and all is as the universe intended.
I wish to God I could be given it as a combined sleep aid (chronic, intractable insomnia here) and general mood/life sorter-outer!
I remember reading something Keith Richards described, eons ago, about narcotics or ‘downers’ (ie barbiturates, hypnotics, and the opium family) as opposed to uppers such as amphetamines and cocaine.
He said some people thrive, feel restored and alive taking downers, while most others will succumb to slumber and aren’t temperamentally all that keen on the effects.
Those who feel ‘improved’ though have some mild kind of neurological dysfunction which is rectified with opiates. (Receptors? Something like that)
A few lines of speed will make anyone feel jazzed up and confident, but the same of morphine makes certain among us feel re-tuned, in the zone.
Anyway…I think he talked sense, and it’s a damn shame this sterling remedy isn't more easily available!
At my advanced age I wouldn't give a damn about dependence on any drug which made everything work properly, any more than I’d resist insulin were I diabetic.
(I manage insomnia now with pregabalin and codeine, prescribed for a pain condition, and it’s very much a third rate solution compared with what one would prefer!)