Comt to your own conclusion

   PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE

Definition:
    Physical dependence is the physiological adaptation of the body to the presence of an opioid. It is defined by the development of withdrawal symptoms when opioids are discontinued, when the dose is reduced abruptly or when an antagonist (e.g., naloxone) or an agonist-antagonist (e.g., pentazocine) is administered.[6]

Clinical relevance
    Physical dependence is a normal and expected response to continuous opioid therapy. Physical dependence may occur within a few days of dosing with opioids, although it varies among patients. Physical dependence (indicated by withdrawal symptoms) does not mean that the patient is addicted.[6]

    Health care workers should advise patients to take their pain medication as directed, and that withdrawal symptoms may occur if they reduce their dose or stop taking the medication.[7] Symptoms of withdrawal may include agitation, insomnia, diarrhea, sweating, and rapid heart beat. If the source of pain is successfully treated or removed, physical dependence is easily treated by gradually decreasing the opioid dose, e.g., reducing the daily dose by 10 to 25 percent every 2 days. When a daily dose of 10-15 mg of parenteral morphine (or its equivalent) is reached, maintain that dose for 2 days, then discontinue.

    The development of physical dependence should not limit analgesic therapy. Antagonists and agonist-antagonists in the patient who is physically dependent should be strictly avoided because their use will neutralize the analgesic effect and cause a withdrawal syndrome.

Misconceptions:

    * Physical dependence is frequently equated mistakenly with addiction. It is incorrect to use the term 'physical dependence' (a physiological state) to describe addiction (a dysfunctional  psychological and behavioral syndrome).[1]

    * Patients who express concern about physical dependence should be given correct information and reassured. Example: "Do not to stop taking your medication abruptly or you will have symptoms of withdrawal. If you no longer need opioids for pain relief (for example after a course of radiotherapy), your physician can gradually decrease your dose over several days."

ADDICTION

Definition:
    While tolerance and physical dependence are physical changes in the body, addiction is defined by aberrant changes in behavior. Addiction is compulsive use of drugs for nonmedical reasons; it is characterized by a craving for mood altering drug effects, not pain relief.[8] Addiction means dysfunctional behavior, in sharp contrast to the improved function and quality of life that result from pain relief. Aberrant behaviors which indicate addiction may include: denial of drug use; lying; forgery of prescriptions; theft of drugs from other patients or family members; selling and buying drugs on the street; using prescribed drugs to get "high."[8]

[cherokee_gal]

Like i said, only you can answer the question if you are an addict or not. But, dont just look for the information that you want to see. Look at all the evidence out there. Check out the NA website as well. No one here means you any harm, actually all we try to do here is share our own experience, strength and hope. Only you can come to a conclusion about your use of prescription meds.
Deb

[JACEM5]

I know that and I did check out the web site.I'm convinced I'm not an addict,just trying to share info with others who may be unsure as I was.

[wait2long]

good for you jacem5...

[wait2long]

be ready , because now you will most likely get a flury of messages about being in denial, which if you are sure of yourself, then no need to reply and constantly have to defend yourself, which i got sucked into...

[liscamdave]

You are so right, I am not quite sure that this thread has caught everyones eye yet, This will for sure ignight a flame in some people. I also agree that if you do not feel as though you are an addict and do follow your scripts to a Tee...then you should have ro reason to proove anything to anyone....Believe in yourself, not what anyone tells you...

Good luck..

Lisa

[wait2long]

thanks for backing me up on this...how are you doing?

[justlikeyou]

im going to guess that it doesnt matter if someone is an addict or dependant,, after long time pill use, quitting is going to be very difficult. and someone who considers them self a non addict, may find they choose more pills over quitting? it doesnt matter if someone uses more pills for fun or because quitting is too hard, theyre useing opioids to get by in their life.

if were not in pain we dont need pain killing drugs.

[wait2long]

i am sorry...i dont get what you mean....i guess an addict has alot harder of a time quitting than someone physically dependant for pain reasons.....the addict takes unusually high doses and the dependant takes them as prescribed...and your right if you arent in pain...you shouldnt need pain pills...but some addicts including myself dabbled with pain pills to numb emotional pain...then came a time where i did need them for legitimate pain, and it was all downhill for me from then on...did i understand your post, or am i just reambling on??? lol.

[liscamdave]

I am good, doing ok. I guess. Day 8  and feeling like ****. I will admit it is no where near as hard as coming off of 1600mgs a day of Oxy, but still no fun. How are you and what is new?

xo, Lisa

[wait2long]

what are you coming off from hun?  i am sure you have told me...but my memory pretty much sucks...  i'm doing pretty good,  learning more everyday on addiction and how to keep my BIG mouth shut in certain circumstances...if you get what i mean....lol

[CATUF]

I conclude that I was the epitome of addiction.  As I look back now on my behavior and thought processes during active addiction I am simply amazed.

I have always had very good recall of what my behavior was during my active addiction, but at the time of that behavior I COMPLETELY missed the point of how twisted that behavior was.  As I get more and more time in Recovery, I seem to go through periods when a truer picture of my old behavior and thinking washes over me in waves.  It's really a bit odd.  

On the one hand I already know "everything" (at least all the facts) about a given event - so it's like nothing new.  On the other hand, however, I suddenly "see" the same event in a very different light - so it's like seeing it for the first time.  I am left to wonder how I possibly failed to notice that something was VERY WRONG with the picture of my life.  

I have been going through one of those new-recall periods for the last weeks or so.  Can't say that I like it very much.  But I suppose that anything that peels away another "layer of the onion" is good for my Recovery.  

At times I find that I berate myself now for the failing then -- i.e. "what a f-up you are for not seeing THAT.  You are an IDIOT!"  

I quickly stop and disavow such comments as being just another voice of my addiction.  

First, they are simply wrong.  It may be easy to see what-was-what now, when I operate with a mind that has been in active Recovery awhile, but it was by no means easy then.  In fact, it was impossible -- I was in active addiction and that failure of perception is just a part of active addiction.  

Second, I think they are dangerous.  The notion that I could or should have just figured out and corrected the problem implies that I simply should have controlled my use better.  In turn, that implies that the problem was not a) that for me any use becomes uncontrollable, but b) that I simply failed to controll my use properly.  The next step in that thinking is that I can use as long as I "keep it under control."  And there, ladies and gentlemen, is the road map for my last dozen or so relapses - don't need another one of those!

My hat is off to anyone that can read JACEM5's definitions and honestly conclude that they are dependent but not addicted.  But when I look in the mirror I have to keep my hat on.

CATUF
DAY-820

[wait2long]

i have a few hats....

[JACEM5]

I have been on the same dose for quite some time now,and technically not even that thanks to my wife,I have never sought an increase,even though my DR. asks if the pain is being managed and to let him know if it's not.So I'm at the point now where I don't really feel any different when I take them,that is to say when first given pain meds I got that loopy feeling I don't get that anymore,and where there is a constant flow due to the time release I don't feel any withdrawl (withdrawal).And again I take what I have as directed manage my pain and move on,unlike my wife I'm not at the calender every day counting the days until I can go for more or think of excuses to go in early which she has done,ie,going away,lost them,and my all time favorite they fell in the bathroom sink.

[NASTO]

Jacem5, who cares what other people think. Only you know the truth brother. Why are you spending so much time trying to prove your not an addict???

[bettie1976]

i agree with nasto. your opinion is the only one that matters. And I mean that in a good way. :)

[JACEM5]

I'm just one of those people,you tell I'm a woman and just and just dropping my panta and showing you I'm not isn't enough for me,I'll be getting hospital records,birth certificate,and a note from the DR.that delivered me,I don't know,maybe that't why I'm in therapy.