What does the term "chronic addiction" mean to you? What images do you get when you hear this term?

Question

If a doctor writes the term "chronic addiction" into a patient's chart, what would you think of that patient? What sort of person do you think a person with a "chronic addiction" diagnosis might be? What impressions will other doctors get of the patient if they see this term in the chart?

Answer 1

I think that the patient needs to find another doctor. 'Addiction' is a term dreamed up to create the illusion of a 'disease' for which a person is not responsible. There is 'abuse', a behavior which can be modified by various techniques. There is 'dependence', which occurs when the body's chemistry depends on the presence of a substance, or reacts to it's absence. 'Addiction' is folklore, passed by word of mouth from person to person. Unfortunately, a large percentage of people are too stupid to see the difference between folklore and science. It is also unfortunate that some of those people are doctors.

Answer 2

Chronic addiction means the patient is always on something (whatever the drug of choice is). It does NOT mean that the addict is a bad person! It is necessary to put that in the chart so that they can best help the addict when they need medical treatment just like a person with diabetes or heart disease. Addiction is a disease. Remember, it would be much better for them to be able to write in the chart "recovering addict."

Answer 3

I think it is fair to say that the term means absolutely nothing except that a 12 Stepper has decided to clue in everyone else who comes across the diagnosis that one may be able to pressure the person into accepting a disease/12-Step religious identity of "I am an addict" and converting him/her into a lifetime member of a Step group.

Anyone with such a statement in their medical record is subject to feel "Powerless" if they have to undergo horribly painful surgery or any other pain without proper medication. Feeling hopeless/"Powerless" is a major part in the first Step in the 12 Step conversion program.

Anyone familiar with the DSM knows that there is "abuse" and "dependence" described and one year without the symptoms of either, it is over. Being forever sick or broken is an idea from the 12-Step religion.

Answer 4

because i am a psychology major the first thing i would have to cosider is where it is that i work but to anwer your question

if i saw chronic addiction i would think that this person is supseptible to becoming an addict to anything that would do with medications such as illegal pills, needles, or whether it is over the counter! and this can go in another way, chronic addiction could also mean that this person has a mental illness and they could ne addicted to sex! or burning themselves, or cutting themselves

Answer 5

Chronic just means ongoing. A disease or illness that will continue without medical treatment. As far as what other doctors may think, well was it a chronic drug addiction? Is so they will probably never prescribe you drugs like those unless absolutely neccessary.

Answer 6

I think it usually means addiction to drugs but actually you can be addicted to other things too....like gambling.watching TV...the computer etc. I suppose it is something you can't control.

Answer 7

you have a severe addiction to something

Answer 8

heavy smoker with PTSD