Reciprocal barrier proof of scalar diffusion comparison ($f_{ϵ}(z)=(z+ϵ{)}^{-1}$)

Before the difference $Z$ hits zero, its diffusion coefficient has magnitude at most $KZ$ and its drift is at least $-LZ$. Itô's formula bounds the drift of $f_{ϵ}(Z)$ by $(L+K^2)f_{ϵ}(Z)$. Its stochastic integrand is bounded by $K/(4ϵ)$, making expectation legitimate on finite horizons. The Gronwall inequality and the value $f_{ϵ}(0)=1/ϵ$ then exclude finite-time contact from a strictly positive starting difference.