Addiction VS physical dependence of narcotics

[NurseTracy]

I have been reading a lot of posts by people claiming to be addicted to their pain meds because they have withdrawl symptoms if they don't take them. PEOPLE, addiction is a psychological behavior where people consume the narcotic after the illness/injury has healed and pain has subsided. Addicts take these meds for the euphoria they produce and not for the control of acute or chronic pain. NOW, narcotic dependence, meaning someone takes the narcotic for pain in order to live some semblance of a normal life with limited pain, will cause withdrawl symptoms if the narcotic is either drastically reduced at one time or stopped all together. Dependence does not usually require any form of treatment or withdrawl program, in a hospital or at home, unless that dependence is bordering addiction.

Please, people, understand your medical conditions and your use of medications. There is no need to suffer because you depend on a medication to live.......after all, if you had to depend on insulin shots ( for diabetes) to live you would take those shots, right?

I'm not trying to sound condescending or like ya'all are idiots, etc.......you are very smart people but many times people, doctors included, don't explain the difference between dependence and addiction and will even use these words interchangeably. Learn the difference.......you don't need to suffer needlessly!

From one chronic pain patient to another.

[ActingBrandNew]

"There are many aspects of addiction and also many aspects of dependence. Each person has to be evaluated for their case and not for the stigma of narcotics use......does that make sense? "

Yes...it makes total sense.

I think its confusing to many people when a person with just a dependency issue goes and posts on an addiction forum. Even if a person takes pain pills as prescribed for many years and then decided to get off the...he or she will experience withdrawals. I do agree in the fact that if a person is taking opiates as prescribed by the doc and they are not being abused and they improve the quality of life than by all means...a person should continue treatment even if there is a dependency issue.

Maybe I didnt read the original thread...I came in a little late and just saw your post explaining the difference between the addiction and dependency and was confused as to why on an addiction forum. Well...as you can see this thread is now in the pain management forum which I think more appropriate.

I wish you the best in your quest to get off hydros. Take care.

[NurseTracy]

I started a new thread because the ones I was reading about actual CP patients was an old one. All I see is, " this post is old so please start another one." I know a lot of people here are addicts but there are quite a few CP patients that are complaining about getting of pills they have never overused, abused, etc......normal dependence. I also have to disagree with Kyle, I think, who stated addiction is just a small step from dependence. That all depends on the reason people take the narcs. Is it only to relieve pain? I have had many dependent patients that never turned into addiction. My mother is one of those people......on meds over 20 years.......addiction is not even a concern. I do feel that even tho a lot or most of the people here are addicts, some don't appear to be.....in my professional opinion......they appear to be dependent as they can live a better life with the meds. There are many aspects of addiction and also many aspects of dependence. Each person has to be evaluated for their case and not for the stigma of narcotics use......does that make sense?

Like I said, I am not here to belittle anyone.....God knows I am not perfect and I would like to come here for support as I am getting off hydros taken for a back injury that has not been fixed. I just feel some alternative therapies might work.....only time will tell. So, please don't hate me for bringing this up.....it was just some factual things I brought to light trying to help.

[NurseTracy]

ROS, I totally see where you are coming from. I should have clarified the low percentage of addiction happening is actually among chronic pain patients. Do the research, you would be surprised. Now, a lot of people have predispositions to addiction and that is different than from people who don't have it. There are many factors but, my main goal here was informing the difference between addiction and dependence. Addiction DOES NOT mean a person is a bad or worthless person. It's a disease that needs to be treated. I have been on the end of dependence and am so sick of feeling like a slave to pills. I am going CT tomorrow from 6-8 hydrocodone 10mg tomorrow. I will be here for support and I'm not here to judge anyone.....quite the opposite. I am hoping we can all help eachother with remedies, etc.

I just hate seeing literal pain patients refuse pain meds and suffer needlessly because they are afraid of addiction. It's a scary thing to feel and I understand it.....unfortunately, not all CP patients understand the difference between dependence & addiction. Education needs to be foremost from the docs instead of just telling the patient, " these are highly addictive pills." That scares the H out of people.

[ActingBrandNew]

You said,

"but 7yrs on I take these tablets with no pain n more then triple the recommended dose, my mind thinks of nothing else but how to get my hands on more pills.... I then buy them from a supplier or pester people I know who have them to let me have some, I take usually 7 at a time coz I like the feeling!"

You are taking 3X the regular dose. You say all you think about is how to get more pills. You get them off the streets and you take them because you like the feeling.

I will tell you....you are an addict. This is addiction.

You are in the right place though if you want to get clean.

[ActingBrandNew]

Your post/topic will be most effective if you simply respond to a thread in which it applies to. The majority of people on here are addicts that use anything from heroin, meth, pain pills, to cough syrup. But...there are some who weren't abusing them but still come here because they are physically dependent and want to know easier ways to cope with the withdrawals. They are welcome here too. You say you are not trying to sound condescending or like were idiots but Im afraid it does. Just being honest here. We pride ourselves here on MH with how supportive and knowledgeable we are when it comes to recovery and addiction. We have years of recovery on this forum. When people come here on an individual basis asking the question if they are dependent or addicted...we address the issue on a personal basis and try to help that individual figure it out.  Its pretty simple to be honest...it doesn't take much rocket science...just a little good ole fashion soul searchin.

[kyle505]

My personal definition of being addicted to something is when that "something" becomes more important than any other aspect of your life - health, family, job...Everything comes second to your "something". I'm not a medical professional, just an addict, but it sounds to me like you are at least an abuser, dependent on the drug, and from there it's a very short step to addiction. Like Vicki said, you decide, we can't. But we can offer advice and support.
K