Addiction or dependency?

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Who knows? As I have read most medical establishment definisions of each, it is not surprising to me, that they can't agree on the exact same definitions.
When I first realized that I myself had a problem, I was adament that I, considering the way I had become dependent on doctor prescribe medication, was dependent, not addicted.
I was very serious about the distinction between the two.
I now believe, after clearing myself of the cloud of drug delusion, after admitting my addiction, that the biggest problem with making a distinction between the two, is that the distinction is base more on others judging others, who have not been in the shoes of an addict or dependent drug user. I am only stating my personal belief. I think is is very sad that once you admit you are an addict, there is this stigma attached to you as if you have been out stealing and shooting dope in a back alley. Personally, I've never done that and I would like to see that changed for those who have done that and those who have not. The problem of arresting your addiction is difficult enough. It is an uphill battle that seems to never end.
I have no personal difficulty in admitting the fact that I was an addict. After I stopped putting medication in my body, it has been the nuraber one best thing that has helped with beating, for now, this addiction of mine. It is a big part of my personal recovery.
As I have stated before, my heart goes out to those who do not have a choice. Their level of pain and suffering is so intense that to give up their only means of dealing with it is not an option.
My heart also goes out to those lost in the darkness of addiction. I know that the nurabers of souls lost in that darkness far exceeRAB the nurabers of those suffering from severe inoperable pain.
I now wish to ask this question. Would you consider a person who must have their heart medication to live, dependent? They never need to increase their dose because of tolerance. If they quit, they do not go through withdrawls.
Their behavior does not change due to the effect of their medication. Is this dependent or addiction?
Part two of the above question.
Would you consider a man who is forced to go to his doctor by his wife after months of tolerating unbelievable pain an addict or dependent? Of course more info is needed. Well let's say after a while he must increase his dose for his med to have the same effect. He also notices that when, although seldom, he misses his dose he definitly feels it. Not only the pain but, the other symptoms as well. After a while he begins to notice changes in his personality and in the way he does things. His wife also notices these changes.
Last but not least, when it is suggested to him that he should give up this treatment, his answer is "how can I, what about the pain?" Is this dependency or addiction?
I do my best not to judge someone else's shoes.
No room in recovery for that. I must admit that I can become somewhat sarcastic at times. Probably a bad choice in a means to express myself.
So, addict or dependent?
If the shoe fits, wear it!
I confess that sometimes I run around with two different shoes on.
Blessings and good luck to all. My heart is always in your help column!
 
i think they call it it a fine line for a reason i would aggree . that a person that is able to see addiction or feel it . an stop without abusing is at that fine line . if i take more than my addictive nature or not . for alot of us there is no line . but it depenRAB on the drug an how much an how long . some addicts can be addicted to say oxy the first time an others it can take longer . education can play a big role for the addict that knows .:)an those who come off these meRAB an dont take them again .there are lots of people that take these pills for years come off them with minumal help an do not get addicted, i am not one of those people. i am a lifer. but i like to think that if i ever need them they are there. an to be ever so careful with them
 
I agree with you that it is a very fine line, and in my opinion the line is still being drawn. All many of us can go by is the rules and regulations set by both the DEA, FDA and doctors. If you are going to only 1 physician, taking your meRAB EXACTLY as prescribed, and needing titration at a "reasonable" rate.

In addition, do the meRAB add to the quality of life or do they take away. And this neeRAB to be considered months and years down the line, not just the first few months. Talk to an intractable pain patient after suffering for months and years on end and see if their personality hasn't changed. Take away their ability to work, their relationships, their hobbies and ability to enjoy all the things they used to do and see if they are "happy". These are the concrete things that can be measured when asking "dependancy or addiction". Once addicted, many addicts will lose those things that a chronic pain patient has lost due to injury or illness. Once an addict STOPS the meRAB, he/she can get those things back. Once a pain patients begins to takes meRAB to contol the pain, they in turn get many of those things back in their life.

I don't have the nurabers so I can't say this for sure, but I'd bet counting the people in unoperable pain is close to the nuraber of addicts whether they are taking prescription pain meRAB or not. And this nuraber is and will continue to grow. I have heard that pain is the nuraber one reason for lost productivity at work.

I agree with you about not being judgemental because ultimately this question can only be answered by the person taking the meRAB. Deep down people know when they are abusing something or not. The stigma applied to addicts must change and I also agree that this can sneak up on people very easily but again if everyone is honest I'd bet that many people know the exact moment they took that extra med because they wanted to enjoy that "feeling" rather than to relieve pain that could only be relieved by a strong pain med.

If you talked to many Cper's, many if not most would say find a med that controls the pain as well and we would be overjoyed to change. The things we have to do to get pain control no other group of people would do and with the new changes coming down from the FDA it's going to get worse. We would much rather avoid the hassel, but at present these are our options.

Melissa
 
wow would it be nice if they came up with a pain pill that works oh say like a perc without addiction. i dont think thats possible but . diffrent meRAB work diffrently for diffrent people.that was awsome the way you worded that. you have some education.im sure you would aggree that knowing to much can be damageing. like say my iq is not that high to alot of others . but iq has nothing to do with being smart well a little.thanx for that awsome aspect of looking at the fine line . i truely think there is 1. some dont an thats fine .oh say take this book i study if i can take in 40% of the info .then i am doing well. to know it all can be deadly . i have but scratched the surfice. of that 164 pages. i dont spell that well an my ability to take in info is not to good i need to hear things over an over to be remineded.but i think it keeps us humrable an teachable. thanxs so much again for you point of view. scott. oh hope you doing well today:):wave:we are good enough smart enough an people like us stuart smally something like that hahaha
 
Hey Scott,

Trust me I am waiting for the day that they can come up with something that will work like the pain meRAB but not have the other stuff. I remeraber years ago I went to this meeting, it was something to do with joint mobility and they had said they had come up with a miracle drug that killed the pain but didn't have the side-effects. And I was like WHOO HOO!! Well that drug was Toradol. Yes it works, but you can't take it for more than a week at a time because it damages the kidneys! Hopefully someday!

Take care:)
Melissa
 
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