My doc says I'm not addicted?

I told my doc that I have been taking pills more at one time but not exceeding my dosage. he said I wasn't addicted but people who take pain meds long term go through this sometimes. I told him I had a full bottle of narco but really didn't want to take more than 5 mg if I need it, even though I'm allowed 10. I explained I took no meds 2 days ago and 5 mg the next day and today. I told him I like the way I feel when I take it but don't like the way I feel if I take to much ( for me thats like 15 mg). he said he thought I was jumping the gun. What's up with this info?

[refusingbondage]

why do you take them?  my advise would be to quit while your ahead.. if you like the way they make you feel when you take them, soon enough you will need more than 5mg to make you feel that same way, then more than 10mg, then more than 15mg.. ultimatley you will build a tolerance.. and then addiction can spiral out of control.  if you are not an addict yet count your lucky stars and stop taking them if its possible.

[german41274]

I have had chronic stomach pain for 8 years. nsaids ripped up my stomach so I couldn't take them. I broke my hand then I injured my shoulder and back. I noticed through it all that hydrocodone helped my pain and helped me be normal. When I say I like how I feel I also mean I like feeling normal. I don't think you can take them and not feel high and only feel normal. I'm not justifying anything, I'm just trying to get some clarity. I don't notice much more than feeling a little achy sometimes when not taking them but I definitely feel pain ( not flu like).

[refusingbondage]

Its the whole addiction vs. dependency.. Any non-addict will become dependent on an opiate - as their body becomes dependent on the medication.  Doesnt necessarily mean your an addict.  If you legitimately need the medication, your not abusing it or running out early or double dosing, then you probably are not an addict - even though at this point your probably dependent.  The achiness is probably no doubt some minor withdrawal but that's your bodies natural response to being dependent.  In my opinion it doesnt necessarily mean your addicted.  If your worried though, it should be something you really keep on top of and in check.  Best of luck!

[Ghilly]

It's pretty much a given that if someone is taking narcotic pain meds for any length of time they are going to become dependent on them.  However, if your prescription lasts you the amount of time it is supposed to, and you're taking them as prescribed only to relieve pain and not taking extra doses to feel a buzz, you are not addicted to them.  Some people take them for many years and, while they are dependent on them, don't get addicted to them.  Sometimes it's necessary in cases of chronic intractable pain.  Pain management physicians perform tests periodically to see what your propensity for becoming addicted is, if you are getting the meds from a pain management specialist they will watch you to see if they think you're going off in the wrong direction with them.  That's why it's  important, if you have chronic pain, to go to a reputable pain management physician and not to one of these storefront doctors who prescribe narcotics to anyone with the money to pay for them just because they have a medical license and can do so.  That's a huge problem down here in Texas, and I'm sure it's happening all over the country.  People make a career out of going from "clinic" to "clinic", getting prescriptions, and using some to support their own habit and selling the rest.  A reputable PMP will do periodic urine and/or blood tests to make sure you have the correct level of the drug in your system.  They can tell by that whether or not you are taking them correctly.  If you legitimately have chronic, intractable pain, don't let the fear of addiction keep you from taking meds that will help you have a near-normal quality of life.  But at the same time, be honest with yourself and others about your reasons for taking them.  If you don't really have chronic intractable pain, you're only fooling yourself, and you could end up, or I should say will end up, with a problem that's a big one to get rid of.

Ghilly

[avisg]

Well here is my problem with that theory .I never took more then my doctor allowed but I am still an addict . If they pain was not bothering me I still took my daily pills . If I had a hard day. I would take my pills.The  amount taken alone does not signify addiction

[mr.lucky66]

I think your doc is right, which is rare around this forum. It doesn't sound like you are really addicted yet but you will be if you keep taking them.

[triplej321]

The only problem i see here is alot of folks are getting the word "addicted" and
dependant confused.....there is a huge difference....

Addicted- Taking the drug for pleasure, Going out of your way to find more, stealing to supply your habit, taking the drug to reach a high....drinking with the drug, shooting up, snorting etc... add dr shopping to the list

Dependant- Needing the drug to get through the day, taking it even though your in no pain, get butterflys at the thought of running out. taking the drug because without it your grouchy, cant function...etc.

You dont neccessaryly need to be a addict to be dependant

your playing with fire, so you better stop while your ahead....next thing your know you will be posting on this forum like the rest of us saying how bad the wd are and why cant you stop taking these pills

[avisg]

i am sorry if you are taking pain pills and your not in pain that is abusing your meds

[kim715]

In agree with Avisg,if you're taking pain meds,but not for pain,theres a problem.

[bluespence]

..."Dependant- Needing the drug to get through the day, taking it even though your in no pain, get butterflys at the thought of running out. taking the drug because without it your grouchy, cant function...etc."




Sorry, to me all of this is the definition for addiction. Being dependant means your body needs them to feel normal and function...no one can control becoming dependant, it happens automatically when you take narcs for any length of time. However addiction is when you have a choice and you choose to take more pills than you are supposed to or you take pills even when you don't hurt because you like how they make you feel, you run out of pills early and scramble to find more and you panic when you know you are almost out. You steal and lie or Dr shop..I could go on, but this is how the two are different.

[triplej321]

thanks for the correction.........
take care

[german41274]

It doesn't matter anyway. I told my doc I didn't feel comfortable with them anymore and wanted no more prescriptions for narcs. I then refilled my last refill and flushed them. end of story. Thanks for the help and support.

[kelley43]

difference between dependency and addiction?

to me...one word.....
ABUSE

congrats on flushing, you just saved yourself from a whole lot of problems, congrats!