Pain medicine addiction?

Question

I have been on percocet for 3 years, I injured my back 3 years ago and my back has been causing me pain ever since and a few months ago broke my leg, I have been taking percocet once or twice a day for the last 3 years, I've been in so much pain I try taking asprin first but it doesnt touch my pain so i wait a few hours then take the perocet for the pain, is this considered an addiction taking it once or twice a day everyday for pain? if so how can I get off the medicine safely?

I went to my doctor today and I told him how I felt about this he told me thats a once or twice a day is a normal dose of the medicine and asked me if I feel I am taking when I don't need it, I told him I take it when I am in alot of pain and the ibuprofen doesnt work, he told me that is not a sign of addiction and that my medicine bottle says 1-2 tablets every 6 hours as needed for pain. he says I'm taking it alot less then some of his paitents.

Answer 1

Well if you feel like you have to have it and if you dont take it you feel irritated or an extreme need for it then yes you are addicted. I was put on morphine patches for the pain i experience due to heart problems and cirrhosis of the liver, i also get extreme migrains at times. There have been times when he pain was only in subtle forms or it had just started and i began to crave the morphine..i am addicted to morphine but i dont use it unless there is dire need for it because i dont want drugs running my life or actions.

The best way to become less addicted is to try to take it less and less each day..try taking it once a day then once every two days then once every three days and so on...eventually you will be able to go days without it and eventually be able to do without it unless you really need it. The thing with pain is, you can handle more than you think you can but if its severe pain then you def should take something to relieve it..that isnt addiction.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

There is a difference between addiction and dependence. If you have been on Percocet daily for 3 years, you have a physical dependence on the drug. An addiction is when you are not only physically dependent, but have psychological issues and resort to stealing/dishonesty/etc. to feed your addiction. Addiction is abuse, where dependence is not.

Dependence on opiates can lead you to become hypersensitive to pain. This is due to a down-regulation of opiate receptors in your body. When you encounter a painful stimulus, you now have the possibility that it will hurt you more than it will hurt anyone else, plus, your body is tolerant to the medications that would help a non-dependent person.

I would recommend that you see a chronic pain specialist (contact the anesthesia department of your local hospital, or ask your family doctor for a referral). You may benefit from other therapies for your back pain, and can, perhaps, be switched gradually to non-opiate medications.

If you try to stop cold-turkey, you will probably go through withdrawal, so you should wean yourself off the Percocet slowly. A pain management specialist can help you with that, once alternate treatment for the back pain has been instituted.

Good luck!

Answer 4

If you are in pain and taking prescribed meds for it you should be okay, but if your not in any pain and still want the percocet your addicted. If you want to get off wean yourself slowly with your doctors help. Also check into Root Blocks for back pain they work well and the sooner you do it the longer it will last. Good luck to you this must be very hard for you I really wish you the best. Also why don't you try Ibuprofen instead of aspirin they do work really well and will allow you more time in between the percocets.

Answer 5

This is not addiction.

The difference between legitimate medical use and addition is in the effect on your lifestyle. If using a particular med allows you to continue to function reasonably well on a routine basis, this is medical need. If using it, however, results in throwing your life down the drain, it's addiction.

Talk with your doctor and insist on a referral to a pain clinic. Any pain that continues for more than 6 months is considered to be chronic, and that needs to be diagnosed and managed as a separate condition.

Answer 6

just wanted to correct JMan's post. There is no such thing as a morphine patch. It is a Fentanyl patch also known as a Duragesic patch. It is designed to deliver Fentanyl over a period of 48- 72 hours.

Fentanyl is one of the strongest opioids available it is about 80 times stonger than morphine.

just trying to set the record straight

Answer 7

Percocet is easy to become addicted to.I am happy to see that you are aware of it and ready to make a change in your life for your life. You can seek help at almost any Hospital. Most will take care of you on grounds, some will refer you to a rehab facility.

Answer 8

Go see a specialist. They can help with the physical and emotional strain. Good Luck.

Answer 9

No Its not an addiction.You take it when you hurt. so take it.I take lortab.I cut my wrists out of desperation and pain.I had pain so badly for years with out something for pain and finally got some.so if your hurting take it. if your not hurting don't take it.be glad you have something for the pain.just don't take it if you don't need to is all.If you wont to quit. just stop taking them.magnesium is a good thing to take for withdrawals.but if you have a lot of pain why stop?I wont stop. I only take mine when I hurt. somedays its not so bad to I dont take them. just take them when you need to . Good luck to you.

Answer 10

will power be determined don't get um filled stay away from um talk to someone get help it only gets worst.