How do I know if I am addicted

[chuck001972]

I have been on paid meds/muscle relaxers for 20 years.  I only take them if I hurt.  Is this abuse?  My family thinks so.  If I don't take them I am in so much pain I can't take it.  I would like to stop but don't want the physical pain of my medical problems.  Of course, ibuprofen, etc no longer works because I have been on Vicaden or Percocet for so long.  I don't know what to do.  I do panic if I am running out of meds but I usually don't even take as much as prescribed.  I am really confused.

[VICourageous]

Hi and Welcome.. I posted this question before..I just wanted some options..I put "Chem-dependent vs Addiction...  I know I became addicted in many ways...When We Use To Live and Live to Use...When we do what Envolver said..Run Short and play the DR shop for more, or even by them off the Street..We are always thinking days before where the next one is or will be be short..When the Survival part of the brain does not think of eating, drinking or any other Pleasures but the DRUG...Then we are so called out of control..and the Addiction takes over...I wish you the Best..Just be aware that it can happen to the Best of Us...
vickie

[EvolverU]

Hi & Welcome. Thanks for posting. These would be the red flags: Do you take it to mediate mood - i.e.: do you feel you can't deal w/ certain situations w/o them? Do you ever run short of meds before your refill? Have you ever lied to your Dr. about your actual usage or your level of pain? Do you find yourself obsessing about your next dose? If the answer is no to the above you're probably dependent rather than addicted. Hope this helps.

[crankbonkers]

No. It is not abuse. Drug abuse refers to an individual who continues to use drugs even though they know it is having an adverse affect on their health and well being.