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Fear of addiction... There is a belief dramatically fostered within the United States by the spread of misinformation that anyone who takes opioid medications is at substantial risk of addiction. In fact, the rate of addiction amongst those who are treated by a doctor with opioid medications is no greater than that of addiction in the general population. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence there is a solid body of clinical evidence that patients with a history of substance abuse or alcoholism may have a genetic predisposition to poor control of their medications and to addiction. Physical dependence and tolerance are different matters: anyone who repeatedly takes opioids, whether for medication or to feed their addiction, more than likely will become physically dependent on the medication and encounter withdrawal if he/she stops taking it abruptly.
Ability to function divides the addict from the physically dependent pain patient. The Florida Board of Medicine explains addiction is characterized by "compulsive use, despite harm." Addicts become socially less functional as the drug takes over their lives. All thought revolves on where their next dose is coming from. Addicts are less able to handle their jobs, family obligations and social participation.
In stark contrast, patients taking opioids to relieve pain usually become more functional, able to rejoin the lives of their families and community and return to work. They're less depressed, less anxious and often view the change as "life-saving". Thus, the Florida Board of Medicine instructs physicians that "tolerance and physical dependence are normal consequences of sustained use of opioid analgesics and are not synonymous with addiction." This advice hasn't penetrated deeply even into the medical community. The general public and majority of the media still equate physical dependence and addiction; even those patients who have not been well counseled by their doctors may wrongly believe they are addicted.
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Roger Gould, M.D.
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Member since Jan 2001
Journal Entry: "This is a comment for everyone who has re..." [Read]
, Feb 19, 2008 04:19PM
To: summer123
If you are physically dependent, it only means that you will have some sort of somatic reaction when you stop using it. If you are addicted, it means you not only anticipate a physcial reaction, you mentally don't want to stop the medication because you don't think you can emotionally survive without it. Also, if addicted in a dangerous way, you have increased the dose to a level that interferes with your judgement and day to day functioning, and are getting a high from the medications. that's the info, so you can decide..
I just finally had to admit that I had a problem and deal with it. I am so glad I did. The only thing that is hard is that I still have the back pain...and neck pain. :-( It drives me nuts some days but luckily the bad pain days are not that often. In general, I do feel better off the lortabs. Thank God for tylenol and Advil. I don't think I could make it without some kind of pain reliever even if it is just over the counter now.
Anyhow, sorry to ramble on. Have a good night all!
just because someone is taking their meds as directed. which is usually not to be taken every day. does not mean that they are not dependant or addicted. it's like whatever. if you quit taking the drug and suddenly feel like you are dying or not normal, than you are in trouble. addicted or dependant.
are you off the drugs yet?