Addiction vs. Dependence

What is the malfunction here?  I see so many nice people that impress the pants off me with their efforts, but I'm seeing a pattern.  Why can't some people understand that, some of us are in severe pain and can't function/walk/sit upright without the aid of pain killers?  I do believe there is a difference between popping pills for fun and doing it because you are laying on the ground in pain.  I also believe there is a difference between snorting your medication and taking it as prescribed.

In the end, we all feel the same physically when we stop, WHY can't we just keep that as our common bond without calling chronic pain patients addicts?   I don't understand.

And, no I'm not in denial, for the last time tonight.........  I've come to terms that I am a RAGING ALCHIE, but I have never once abused any pill.  It is possible to be addicted to one thing and not another.

Withdrawals are not exclusive to addicts......  ANY human being on a daily narc regime is gonna get sick if they stop, it's standard anatomy 101.

[lurker]

you are on an addiction forum so everyone here is generally here because of addiction not dependence, which are two totally different things.

[notmenow!]

I myself am a pain management patient, I was on various narcotics for about a year, As I contemplated on having back surgery, I myself never found it necessary to over medicate myself. I would always call my PM doctor first as tell her what was going on before I would think about double dosing or taking my narcotics early. I knew I was on heavy duty narcotics that for the most part kept me comfortable. But I reached a time in my treatment when I was told if I did not have the surgery then my nerve damage would get worse through no fault of my on, other than the fact the surgery was not a guaranteed 100% cure for pain, However I would see a significant drop in the need for narcotics.

After the surgery I remained on the same medication treatment plan, Then about 30 days post op I told my doctor that it was time to taper of the stronger opiates. Otherwise how would I be able to judge for myself what kind of relief I received from the surgery, After a slow taper I began to notice that the pain had in fact lessened by about 85%, Which I have learned is an overall good outcome.

Although I did not at the time consider myself an addict, No I was more convinced that I was physically dependant on the medication. My doctor had explained to me that after a year of being on narcotics that it was very likely that the brain forgets how to produce endorphins. The feel good chemicals that our brain produces on their own. So when it was time for me to drop below 20mgs of Oxycontin and 4-6 Norco tablets a day I started to get flu like symptoms and pain was only mild.
After 2 attempts to taper on a schedule only to end up running short and becoming very ill. It was clear to me that I had developed an Opiate addiction which is a treatable chronic disease of the brain

The good news was my PM doctor had her waiver which enables a doctor to prescribe the drug called suboxone. She put me on 8mg every 6hrs along with Lyrica 300mg twice daily for nerve pain.

I have never felt better better and more like myself than I have in years, I very rarely have had any episodes of breakthrough where I did require a strong medication called actiq for 2 days but after the pain had subsided, I went back on the suboxone treatment plan.
Although I do not agree with your comment with you comparison with chronic pain patients and addicts that require there daily does of medication as we do, I think for the most put an addict and as you referred to and a chronic pain patient in the same room, Let me clarify that I am not talking about illegal drugs, Within 24 hours you would come to the sad conclusion that there truly is no difference. Everyone on this Forum has their own story that it was a doctor who helped them along their way in the progression of chronic opiate addiction. A disease which is treatable. It just takes a little longer for some of us to realize it. Having said that why would you refer to your self as a RAGING ALCHIE, rather than an alcoholic and offer what you know about the disease to help others, Who are sick and suffering!---------NOAH A RECOVERING DRUG ADDICT  

[beachtowel]

there is a difference between dependence and addiction..........

This is an addiction forum for people who would like to get clean and get to recovery...........

[wait2long]

dependance leads to addiction  whether you suffer chronic pain or take for pleasure...yes, some people do require pain meds to live a life of quality...but that in turn does not mean you cant get addicted, or arent already...an addict is an addict...

[keywhite]

The medical field describes addiction as a drug seeking behavior.  Dependence is either and physiological or psychological need for a drug. There is a difference and yes a dependence can lead to a drug seeking behavior.  Either way withdrawal stinks but when your through its great!  The addictive behavior and dependence psychological is why it is important to have aftercare.  Beach is a preacher of aftercare - and he is right.  Everyone needs some kind of support.

[notmenow!]

Beachtowel claims this is an addiction forum, What he does not seem to realize is that the people on pain management will need support with withdrawal when the time comes and it will come sooner or later.

Then what is he doing giving advise to the pain management members of this Forum in the first place

I encourage you all read his advise to nickoli on 10/29/07, It seems he is the self proclaimed king of  relapse and getting clean which he has done over 100 times I believe ?
But he closes his post by saying he is no longer an addict because he has been clean for how long?

ONCE AND ADDICT ALWAYS AN ADDICT, ONE IS TOO MANY AND A THOUSAND IS NOT ENOUGH !!  Right? --------NOAH

[notmenow!]

you are absolutely right. I thought alcohol was a drug. Someone needs a reality check. If your not a drug addict. Then maybe this person should go to the pain forum, Why choose the addiction forum it your not an addict?