I'm talking about prescription painkillers.
2006-08-24 17:14:21 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
I have a slipped disc in my lower back, I can hardly walk or stand upright when I get up in the morning, I've been taking painkillers off and on for a while...My doctor prescribes me to take 2 a day, If I don't have to go to work, I don't take any. Does anyone know how long it would take for withdrawl symptoms to start, and how long they last?
2006-08-24 19:09:56 · update #1
I'm taking Lortabs
2006-08-25 19:23:10 · update #2
Physical dependence is a result of your body becoming dependent on a medication (or substance), where slowly tapering off the substance is necessary to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Addiction is entirely different than physical dependence. Addiction is an emotional dependence of a substance, where the addicted person will abuse a substance, regardless of the consequences, for a non-medical purpose. For example, if your doctor prescribed Lortab to you for acute or chronic pain, and you take that medication for several months (such as 4 tablets per day), your body would become physically dependent. Therefore, to avoid withdrawal symptoms, your physician would gradually reduce the amount of tablets you take per day until you completely discontinue the medication.
Addiction on the other hand, could go something like this: The same doctor prescribes the Lortab to you for the same reason. You find you enjoy the way the medication makes you feel (euphoric/mind-altering), which has nothing to do with the pain relief it provides you. So you start taking more than four tablets per day and eventually run out of pills before your next allowed refill. You then start telling your doctor your pain is still severe, and that you need more pills. However, your original pain has already disappeared. But you keep taking the medication because maybe it puts you in a better mood, or helps you deal with stress better, etc. Basically, you start abusing the narcotic, Lortab (hydrocodone) for non-medical related reasons, but emotional ones. This could be a sign of "addiction."
Physical dependence is physical; Addiction is emotional/psychological.
I am so glad you asked this question because so much of society does not understand the difference between physical dependence and addiction. But there IS DEFINITELY A DIFFERENCE. If you have any further questions, you can contact me via my personal 360 page at http://360.yahoo.com/purpletiger357 .
2006-08-26 03:54:20 · answer #1 · answered by ? 1 · 12⤊ 2⤋
Difference Between Dependence And Addiction
2016-12-18 13:28:19 · answer #2 · answered by aziz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Difference Between Addiction And Dependence
2016-10-04 06:22:02 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
What is the difference between physical dependence and addiction?
I'm talking about prescription painkillers.
2015-08-18 15:47:18 · answer #4 · answered by Michal 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not a huge difference.
Physical dependence is well on the way to addiction. The difference is a matter of degree.
If you are aware you are becoming physically dependent on painkillers or anything else you should see your doctor immediately to see if some other means can be found to deal with physical pain.
I would not mess with this. It can be very dangerous.
2006-08-24 17:22:59 · answer #5 · answered by Warren D 7 · 8⤊ 0⤋
as a person who also takes some pain medication ...when needed..i think... if you can't go one or two days without being achy,using the restroom alot...and sneezing, then you are already in a world of trouble..its hard because when you go to the doctor it is sooo easy to receive,pretty much anything you want,i know you have a problem with your back pain,but you will have to have a medium...
i am no doctor or nurse...that's for sure, just someone with experience in this subject!!
a couple of signs of Detox:
1.achy
2.craving...just one more!!
3. buying off the street,and justifying with something or another!!
4.sneezing...weird but it's true
5. using the restroom
6.leg cramps
well that's all for now off the top of my head!
so good luck with this one!!
maybe have your doc put you in something LESS addictive...physical and mentally!!
good luck!!
2006-08-28 10:47:42 · answer #6 · answered by **Marilyn** 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Physical dependence involves your bodies need/expectation for the drug. With out the drug your body does into a series of changes while "withdrawing". The addiction part is when you WANT to drug. Your body isn't demanding it your head is.
2006-08-24 17:18:41 · answer #7 · answered by JULIE J 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Honey,You are not addicted either way!
I have been on pain killers for years due to a muscle disease & back surgeries.
I have to take 5 per day or I have to stay in bed!I do have a slight physical addiction,where my body starts to feel restless & I can't stay still or sleep,when i haven't taken any.
Psycological addiction is where the mind thinks you have to have it or you will feel immediate & severe pain.
2006-08-25 19:19:39 · answer #8 · answered by Frogmama 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Addiction is a mental state...your brain wants it, but your body doesn't need it
2006-08-27 19:08:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Physical dependence is PHYSICAL meaning your body and addiction means PSYCHOLOGICAL meaning your mind.
2006-08-24 17:20:14 · answer #10 · answered by First Lady 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋