Is It Considered Addiction?

Question

If you take narcotics for pain, and they are the only thing that helps, are you an addict?

Additional Details


I have undiagnosed cause for chronic pain, ? realtion to a chronic infection I had for alomst 5 years. ibuprofin, neproxin, tylenol, celebrex, dolobid don't help, at one time they did! I am in pain all over, my bones hurt, crack, grind and ache all day, everyday, and no I don't have a low pain tolerance, i gave birth to 2 kids strait up no pain meds or spinals. it sucks having constant pain and not knowing why! Is it still addiction when they are the only thing that helps?

I have been seeing Dr's for over a year over $7000.00 in healthcare this year alone, and they suck, because i still don't know whais wrong with me, the only abnormal thing that has come back ismy C reative protine at 2.2.

Answer 1

We went through a landmark case in Georgia on this a few years ago - Doctor specialized in pain management and prescribed, therefore, a lot more pain meds than the average doctor. They wanted to pull his license. Supreme Court said no, that's his business.

The one thing you want to keep tabs on is the state of your pain without the meds. You really need to monitor it with your doctor, because sometimes you'll think you're in pain when you come off the meds, but it's just coming off the meds that makes you feel bad.

My opinion, if you're in pain, or wil be without it, take the stuff. That's not an addiction, that's a treatment.

My motto? - "No pain, no pain!"

Answer 2

Regardless of the reason for taking narcotics, whether bought on the street or prescribed by a doctor, your body doesn't differentiate. Opiates are usually addictive within 3 days straight of taking them. I too had chronic pain that was only relieved (although not completely - but life was bearable) by taking Percocet and/or Tylox. Eventually though, my body adapted to these drugs and weren't effective any more than an aspirin. Once that happened, I had to find something stronger, and turned to heroin. I've been clean now since '98 and while I'm still living in pain, it sure beats the way I was living when I was addicted to Percocet, Tylox and Heroin. I would try a pain management clinic, there have been great strides made in pain management. Things are more thoroughly investigated and rather than just give patients pain killers, which do nothing to locate and solve the problem, they actually try to figure out alternatives that work. Good luck and I hope you're pain free very soon!

Answer 3

You might be physiologically dependent on narcotics, because that's just what happens when you take them regularly, whether for pain management or for fun.
If you stopped taking them, you'd go through withdrawal, because your body is dependent on the narcotics.
However, that doesn't mean you have a problem. If you take them as prescribed, don't take more than necessary, and you are only taking them for the prescribed issue, then it's not a problem.
If you are concerned about it, you might want to talk to your doctor about it. There might be some alternate therapies that may help you a lot. I've worked with a doctor who got people off narcotics who had chronic pain, because they just couldn't stand the idea of being dependant on something. But sometimes, chronic pain can be so bad that narcotics are the only drug that can help.
Hope this helps!

Answer 4

no i don't think your an addict you need to seek out a pain management course at your local hospital they can help you with dealing with the pain and possibly get you some meds that will help your condition . i wish you good luck in overcoming this problem and i hope they figure out what is causing it.

Answer 5

That's probably something you need to bring up to your doctor or therapist. If you're a mom concerned about becoming an addict, it's too serious to ask a bunch of idiots who are just gonna call you a crack head.

Answer 6

It is only an addiction if you can not survive with out them... My father-in-law has chronic pain due to breaking his neck twice... he does take pain meds, but he also goes to pain management. It helps him to manage the pain with out all the pain killer. They are very addictive so be careful.

Answer 7

Look addiction is when your entire life consists over getting and doing a particular drug. Answer these questions and see how you feel.

Do you ever use alone?

Have you ever substituted one drug for another, thinking that one particular drug was the problem?

Have you ever manipulated or lied to a doctor to obtain prescription drugs?

Have you ever stolen drugs or stolen to obtain drugs?

Do you regularly use a drug when you wake up or when you go to bed?

Have you ever taken one drug to overcome the effects of another?

Do you avoid people or places that do not approve of you using drugs?

Have you ever used a drug without knowing what it was or what it would do to you?

Has your job or school performance ever suffered from the effects of your drug use?

Have you ever been arrested as a result of using drugs?

Have you ever lied about what or how much you use?

Do you put the purchase of drugs ahead of your financial responsibilities?

Have you ever tried to stop or control your using?

Have you ever been in a jail, hospital, or drug rehabilitation center because of your using?

Does using interfere with your sleeping or eating?

Does the thought of running out of drugs terrify you?

Do you feel it is impossible for you to live without drugs?

Do you ever question your own sanity?

Is your drug use making life at home unhappy?

Have you ever thought you couldn't fit in or have a good time without drugs?

Have you ever felt defensive, guilty, or ashamed about your using?

Do you think a lot about drugs?

Have you had irrational or indefinable fears?

Has using affected your sexual relationships?

Have you ever taken drugs you didn’t prefer?

Have you ever used drugs because of emotional pain or stress?

Have you ever overdosed on any drugs?

Do you continue to use despite negative consequences?

Do you think you might have a drug problem?

Then visit www.na.org

Answer 8

no that is not addiction. It sounds like it is time to get a second opinion. Maybe another doctor will find what the first doctor missed.

Answer 9

Why suffer,find out what is causing your pain,Your pain might be life threatening.

Answer 10

I think that you need to get a second opinion, maybe they will find out what your problem really is.good luck