Guest guest Posted December 27, 2001 Report Share Posted December 27, 2001 Ray, You tell them. There is a huge difference between " addicts " and someone taking prescribed I might add meds just to be able to move without pain. I have been on meds ,gone off of them, gone through withdrawal. It can be done but if someone has pain so bad and the doctor feels you can cope better on the med then there is no reason to suffer. I can live without them but I do so much better with them. Annie --- Ray in Virginia wrote: > plantcrone Elle previously wrote: " We are hooked on > these drugs-no > less than a junkie is hooked on his drugs of choice. > Addoctive > drugs dont say " Oh this is a nice person with pain, > so we won't be > addictive for him,,but this other scum bucket wife > beater type will > be totally a junkie from day 1'. Addiction knows no > boundaries > kiddos. Now we sort of gloss over our medical > addiction by saying > were followig doctors orders, ad I hope we are all > doing that! But > we are still addicted to the drugs like oxycontin, > percocet and the > like. " > > Here we go again. The definitions of drug addiction > do not include > the cessation of pain by opiods for chronic pain > patients. The > fact that a particular medication causes reduction > in the level of > pain is not part of the definition of addiction. > Nor is the fact > that when you stop taking such medication your pain > may become > worse in its absence. > > Those who take medications for the managment of > chronic pain are > not and should not be classified as addicts who seek > such drugs for > the addictive " high " it gives them and not for any > legitamate > medical reason!!! To do so is to confuse the wider > community > including our friends and relatives, co-workers, > bosses, etc. > > Personally I don't tell people that I'm taking > oxycontin just > because of the bad press it has received in our area > especially > where it is known as " Hillbilly Heroin, " a > self-inflicted misnomer > because of our south-eastern location in the States > and the high > number of cases of dealers selling it to addicts. > > There is an essential mind-change that should be > applied to the > fact that when we take the medications we have lower > levels of > pain, and when we don't take them we have higher > levels of pain. > No drug addiction definition includes these effects. > It is simply > that the medication is present and doing its job > when we take it > and experience lower pain levels; as well as the > higher levels we > experience when we miss, skip, or don't take a > doseage on time. > > I can, and have, stopped taking oxycontin without > any detrimental > effects other than having to substitute other pain > medications to > reduce the levels of pain. My body does not " crave " > oxycontin and > I do not have any compulsion to get it, use it, nor > any desire for > a " high " from it. > > After a long time of using a particular medication > like oxycontin > under the direction and supervision of a physician > it could be said > that one's body demands the prescence of the > medication, often > referred to as physical addiction to separate it > from illegal > non-medical drug abuse. However, as my chronic pain > doctor states, > " What difference does that make? None. As long as > you take your > medication as prescribed and you are being medically > monitored, and > your chronic pain is being controlled, then it is > just doing what > we desire for it to do...reduce your pain and > increase your quality > of life. " > > I may be beating a dead horse but I do believe that > we must fight > any definition or assumption that because we take > opiods for > chronic pain management that we are drug addicts. > No thank you! I > don't need that kind of misrepresentation about my > medical care. > There is already enough misunderstanding and wrong > assumptions > about the use of opiods for chronic pain managment. > This is an > important distinction based on medical fact, > treatment protocol, > and repeated research that confirms chronic pain > patients do not > become addicted to their medications. > > Ray in Virginia > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 27, 2001 Report Share Posted December 27, 2001 <de-lurking> Just to add my .02 cents. There is the same (maybe even more) stigma in the psychiatric community. For someone who has a dual-diagnosis that involves both pain management and psychiatric meds, it is a *double* whammy. What I would like to ask the " drug control moralists " is how would you like to live a life of excruciating, intense physical AND psychological pain just because you are afraid of what others think? The scientific literature (and please spare me the crap about the " big drug companies " ...the " health supplement industry " is JUST as greedy, and produce inferior products..worthless, usually, at best) shows, as Ray has pointed out, addiction to medication is rare, actually, if it is used to control pain and symptoms. I am *really* steamed about all of these people suing drug companies, saying " this med did this to them " (regarding psychological actions, not true 'physical' damage), and it takes away much of the great medication most of us benefit from. I am a very liberal person, but I *hate* people using medications as an excuse for their problems, when they where the *only* thing helping in the first place. Medications saved MY life!!!!!!! ANYBODY who threatens to take these things away from me, threatens my life and well being. /rant Jay Re: Addicted? Not me! > Ray, > You tell them. There is a huge difference between > " addicts " and someone taking prescribed I might add > meds just to be able to move without pain. I have been > on meds ,gone off of them, gone through withdrawal. It > can be done but if someone has pain so bad and the > doctor feels you can cope better on the med then there > is no reason to suffer. I can live without them but I > do so much better with them. Annie > --- Ray in Virginia wrote: > > plantcrone Elle previously wrote: " We are hooked on > > these drugs-no > > less than a junkie is hooked on his drugs of choice. > > Addoctive > > drugs dont say " Oh this is a nice person with pain, > > so we won't be > > addictive for him,,but this other scum bucket wife > > beater type will > > be totally a junkie from day 1'. Addiction knows no > > boundaries > > kiddos. Now we sort of gloss over our medical > > addiction by saying > > were followig doctors orders, ad I hope we are all > > doing that! But > > we are still addicted to the drugs like oxycontin, > > percocet and the > > like. " > > > > Here we go again. The definitions of drug addiction > > do not include > > the cessation of pain by opiods for chronic pain > > patients. The > > fact that a particular medication causes reduction > > in the level of > > pain is not part of the definition of addiction. > > Nor is the fact > > that when you stop taking such medication your pain > > may become > > worse in its absence. > > > > Those who take medications for the managment of > > chronic pain are > > not and should not be classified as addicts who seek > > such drugs for > > the addictive " high " it gives them and not for any > > legitamate > > medical reason!!! To do so is to confuse the wider > > community > > including our friends and relatives, co-workers, > > bosses, etc. > > > > Personally I don't tell people that I'm taking > > oxycontin just > > because of the bad press it has received in our area > > especially > > where it is known as " Hillbilly Heroin, " a > > self-inflicted misnomer > > because of our south-eastern location in the States > > and the high > > number of cases of dealers selling it to addicts. > > > > There is an essential mind-change that should be > > applied to the > > fact that when we take the medications we have lower > > levels of > > pain, and when we don't take them we have higher > > levels of pain. > > No drug addiction definition includes these effects. > > It is simply > > that the medication is present and doing its job > > when we take it > > and experience lower pain levels; as well as the > > higher levels we > > experience when we miss, skip, or don't take a > > doseage on time. > > > > I can, and have, stopped taking oxycontin without > > any detrimental > > effects other than having to substitute other pain > > medications to > > reduce the levels of pain. My body does not " crave " > > oxycontin and > > I do not have any compulsion to get it, use it, nor > > any desire for > > a " high " from it. > > > > After a long time of using a particular medication > > like oxycontin > > under the direction and supervision of a physician > > it could be said > > that one's body demands the prescence of the > > medication, often > > referred to as physical addiction to separate it > > from illegal > > non-medical drug abuse. However, as my chronic pain > > doctor states, > > " What difference does that make? None. As long as > > you take your > > medication as prescribed and you are being medically > > monitored, and > > your chronic pain is being controlled, then it is > > just doing what > > we desire for it to do...reduce your pain and > > increase your quality > > of life. " > > > > I may be beating a dead horse but I do believe that > > we must fight > > any definition or assumption that because we take > > opiods for > > chronic pain management that we are drug addicts. > > No thank you! I > > don't need that kind of misrepresentation about my > > medical care. > > There is already enough misunderstanding and wrong > > assumptions > > about the use of opiods for chronic pain managment. > > This is an > > important distinction based on medical fact, > > treatment protocol, > > and repeated research that confirms chronic pain > > patients do not > > become addicted to their medications. > > > > Ray in Virginia > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2001 Report Share Posted December 28, 2001 Hello, Well, here we go again! I have not posted until I read all the posts about this subject. The definition of " Addict or addiction " is, ...life and thinking is centered in finding ways and means to get more. We live to use and use to live... There is never enough. We have struggled for years to separate those of us who have a true need for medication to have a life, from those who miss use medication to get high. I am dependent on my medication to go from day to day with some degree of normalcy. I have taken myself off of medication, switched medication etc... In my opinion semantics is a big deal around this word only because those of us in chronic pain have had to fight so hard for some relief because of those who misuse medication. Having been a drug consoler in a long term rehab center I do believe strongly in this issue. Just my two cents here. Kathleen in Calif. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2001 Report Share Posted December 28, 2001 My name is Dennis I had my neck broke in a construction accident I suffer from migraine style headaches and they do not ever go away before they put me on mscontin and other drugs to go with the mscontin I use to lay in bed crying in pain so I personally do not care if I am labeled as addicted or I have a drug problem the fact that I can get out of bed and do things is way more important than a lable someone wants to put on me --------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2001 Report Share Posted December 29, 2001 Hi Dennis, You are absolutely right. At least with the med I can function somewhat normally. I am up front with my friends. My employer knows that I have to have this medicine and works with me,so I feel very fortunate. I hope you can get to a point where you will at least get some relief for awhile. Annie --- Dennis Hammond wrote: > My name is Dennis I had my neck broke in a > construction accident I suffer from migraine style > headaches and they do not ever go away before they > put me on mscontin and other drugs to go with the > mscontin I use to lay in bed crying in pain so I > personally do not care if I am labeled as addicted > or I have a drug problem the fact that I can get out > of bed and do things is way more important than a > lable someone wants to put on me > > > --------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2001 Report Share Posted December 29, 2001 Hi Kathleen, You are right. I saw a program on tv about oxycotin and the people who are crying because they became addicted. People have to take responcibility for what they do. If people misuse anything,they can become addicted. On the show they also showed people like a 12 year old child who was able to leave his wheelchair and try to live his life alittle bit better. I know without my med I wouldn,t be able to move,walk or work without pain. Annie --- Krag52@... wrote: > Hello, > > Well, here we go again! I have not posted until I > read all the posts about > this subject. > > The definition of " Addict or addiction " is, ...life > and thinking is centered > in finding ways and means to get more. We live to > use and use to live... > There is never enough. > > We have struggled for years to separate those of us > who have a true need for > medication to have a life, from those who miss use > medication to get high. > > I am dependent on my medication to go from day to > day with some degree of > normalcy. I have taken myself off of medication, > switched medication etc... > > In my opinion semantics is a big deal around this > word only because those of > us in chronic pain have had to fight so hard for > some relief because of those > who misuse medication. > > Having been a drug consoler in a long term rehab > center I do believe > strongly in this issue. > > Just my two cents here. > > Kathleen in Calif. > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2001 Report Share Posted December 29, 2001 Without pain managment most of us would be unable to live anything that even resembles a normal life. Chronic pain patients don't become addicted. I beleive it is something like 1% or less that have addiction problems. Of course you have to be responsible with pain meds. just like all medications. Joy in Dallas R. S. .Sosgrin's syndrome, Reynaud's phenomena, HBP, Hypothyroidism, IBS, herniated disc, ect....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2001 Report Share Posted December 29, 2001 hi..i was invited by a friend of yours. for now, please call me solibene...due to some real mastification by some nasty dudes and dudettes on usenet. i agree with Annie, Dennis, that as long as you are able to get out of bed and participate in life, who are we or anyone else to put a lable upon you because the meds you take make it possible for you to cope with the pain. it is a pity that those who are making your life miserable with their insensitivity are incapable of celebrating those days with you when you can do something to enjoy yourself. each one of us has a different threshold for pain and even our threshold gets messed up and we have to find new ways to make that threshold tolerate the pain. Dennis, i hope you will find better loving friends and hope your family is able to support you. right now as i write, my glucose level is very low. i want to pass out because of the sleep deprivation and my pain meds also interfere with determining the low symptoms. so, i am quite aware how one can be hindered just doing the routine chores around the home and work. Dennis, i am sure you are knowledgeable, but i would like to mention that caffiene acerbates migraines. if you like coffee but cannot handle the caffiene-free coffees, you may like to try the light coffee which is half and half. i havent studied the affects of equal in diet sodas with migraines, but i do know it intensifies pain for those with fibromyalgia. solibene > Hi Dennis, > You are absolutely right. At least with the med I > can function somewhat normally. I am up front with > my > friends. My employer knows that I have to have this > medicine and works with me,so I feel very fortunate. > I > hope you can get to a point where you will at least > get some relief for awhile. Annie > --- Dennis Hammond wrote: > > My name is Dennis I had my neck broke in a > > construction accident I suffer from migraine style > > headaches and they do not ever go away before they > > put me on mscontin and other drugs to go with the > > mscontin I use to lay in bed crying in pain so I > > personally do not care if I am labeled as addicted > > or I have a drug problem the fact that I can get > out > > of bed and do things is way more important than a > > lable someone wants to put on me __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2001 Report Share Posted December 29, 2001 > > Hello, > > > > Well, here we go again! I have not posted until I > > read all the posts about > > this subject. > > > > The definition of " Addict or addiction " is, > ...life > > and thinking is centered > > in finding ways and means to get more. We live to > > use and use to live... > > There is never enough. Kathleen, the above is such a prophetic statement. > > > > We have struggled for years to separate those of > us > > who have a true need for > > medication to have a life, from those who miss use > > medication to get high. absolutely! > > > > I am dependent on my medication to go from day to > > day with some degree of > > normalcy. I have taken myself off of medication, > > switched medication etc... > > > > In my opinion semantics is a big deal around this > > word only because those of > > us in chronic pain have had to fight so hard for > > some relief because of those > > who misuse medication. and, we go through piles of red tape just to have the insurance pay. > > > > Having been a drug consoler in a long term rehab > > center I do believe > > strongly in this issue. > > > > Just my two cents here. > > > > Kathleen in Calif. > > > Solibene __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2001 Report Share Posted December 29, 2001 Dennis Hammond on 12/28/01 3:00 PM wrote: > ³... I use to lay in bed crying in pain so I personally do not care if I am > labeled as addicted or I have a drug problem the fact that I can get out of > bed and do things is way more important than a lable someone wants to put on > me ³ > Well put Dennis ! Well stated. IMHO, of course. --- Robbie in FL, AS/ReA (RS) 18 + years and counting. feralelf@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2001 Report Share Posted December 30, 2001 Jay, You point out a much needed fact: pain-relief medications have enabled many of us to lead more " normal " lives than we would otherwise have been blessed with. My doctor requires me to get a written prescription for my medications monthly. He also requires that I see him every three to four months so he can monitor and change my medications, if necessary. I also had to sign a chronic pain managment contract in which I promised to not see other doctors for pain medications, to use only one pharmacy for all my medication needs, to submit to a pill count or a urinalysis on demand, etc. I had no objections to any of the requirement placed upon me in relationship to chronic pain managment by opiods. I seek to reduce the pain levels I experience just to be able to live a life that is of a greater quality and joy than being confined to a bed all of the time. Thanks for sharing your point of view. Ray in Virginia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2001 Report Share Posted December 30, 2001 Kathleen previously wrote: " We have struggled for years to separate those of us who have a true need for medication to have a life, from those who miss use medication to get high. " Thanks, Kathleen, for your very astute observations. As a drug abuse counselor who is also a chronic pain patient, you have a unique position to help us make a definitive difference between what a drug addict is and what it means to be a chronic pain paitent seeking a better quality of life with the help of pain-relieving medications. Keep adding your two cents worth! Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2001 Report Share Posted December 31, 2001 In a message dated 12/30/01 4:44:26 PM Pacific Standard Time, hrn@... writes: > Thanks, Kathleen, for your very astute observations. As a drug > abuse counselor who is also a chronic pain patient, you have a > unique position to help us make a definitive difference between > what a drug addict is and what it means to be a chronic pain > paitent seeking a better quality of life with the help of > pain-relieving medications. Keep adding your two cents worth! As an in-home caregiver, I too have seen this. Both those aware of they're addiction and those who deny it. I myself take OTC Naproxen, and when I'm really sore I take 1 or 2 Vicodin. However I do pretty good only needing the Vicodin maybe once a week or so. (Unless I do something I know better than to! ) I had been told by an outsider that I was addicted. I said no, I'm not. They finally dropped it. But I know from people I've seen, I'm definately not. Anyway's thats my tidbit... Meows, & headbutts, & Viscious =^..^= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2002 Report Share Posted January 1, 2002 As a chronic pain patient, I've thought a lot about this subject. I think a lot of time people in a chronic pain situation are more aware of their medication taking than other " short lived episode " people. We take our medications (however the combination and strength prescribed) as a way of being able to function from day to day. This is the main reason. At least for me. A lot of times when I'm having a " better " day, I'll forget to take my medications that are supposed to be taken twice daily. I also have other medications to take the edge off of the " peaks " . A lot of doctors don't even take the time to study our cases - they just see the level of medication and compare it with " normal " people. And of course, we are way over the top. But NOT for our individual situations. That's the catch here, and this is the point that is so degrading and frustrating. The addiction risk is 0.02% (in a study I read), as our bodies use up the meds in a totally different way than they would if we were not in the situations we are, and still taking the levels of meds we have to now. Nobody wants to be in our shoes, and we haven't chosen to be in our respective situations. But since we are, a lot of us are not able to take other types of treatment, due to lack of knowledge in the health care systems in different countries. We do not take our meds to " get off " . Yes, there are times when our meds will knock us out, but this is usually a sign of how tired our bodies are, and if the meds to take the peaks away, I know I'm left with 1-2 days of " recovery " , as I'm left with no energy at all. We could try to " run away " by taking extra meds, but it doesn't help in the long run. I'm sure that most here have felt relieved when they feel the meds kicking in, but this is not usually something that is directed towards misuse, but simply that our bodies need the " break " they give us for the short time they work. And yes, it does feel good to get a short time of pain relief, but that does NOT make us addicts!! I know I am grateful when my evening meds work so well that I'm able to go to bed without taking any sleeping pills. This to me is a good thing, but it varies from day to day, depending on many factors that we haven't been able to map. Just my thoughts on this matter, and I hope 2002 will be a more positive year for all of us - maybe even some here can find solutions to their problems that can help to live productive lives!! Best New Years Wishes, - - >Kathleen previously wrote: " We have struggled for years to >separate those of us who have a true need for >medication to have a life, from those who miss use medication to >get high. " > >Thanks, Kathleen, for your very astute observations. As a drug >abuse counselor who is also a chronic pain patient, you have a >unique position to help us make a definitive difference between >what a drug addict is and what it means to be a chronic pain >paitent seeking a better quality of life with the help of >pain-relieving medications. Keep adding your two cents worth! >Ray > > > >Know someone who could profit from our list? Send our direct sign-up >URL: http://www.yahoogroups.com/subscribe.cgi/chronic_pain or write us >at: chronic_pain-listowner >Manage your subscription with several special email addresses: >chronic_pain-owner - Sends email to the list owners >chronic_pain-subscribe - Subscribe to the list through email >chronic_pain-unsubscribe - Unsubscribe from the list >chronic_pain-normal - Switch your subscription to normal >chronic_pain-digest@... - Switch your subscription to digest > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2002 Report Share Posted January 1, 2002 Hi chris, My name is annie. I have been on pain meds for about 8 years. Everything you said is exactly how things have been for me. When I have a good day I will skip or prolong my meds and then there are bad days and you are right about extra med not really being too effective.Laying there feeling the meds slowly taking the terrible pain away shows me how much I do need them. I don,t even take the full amount that I am allowed so when people say I am addicted I take serious issue with them. I wish those same people could see the pain on my face and spine before I take my med. Thanks again. Happy new year. Annie --- C Hayton wrote: > As a chronic pain patient, I've thought a lot about > this subject. > I think a lot of time people in a chronic pain > situation are more aware of > their medication taking than other " short lived > episode " people. > We take our medications (however the combination and > strength prescribed) > as a way of being able to function from day to day. > This is the main > reason. At least for me. A lot of times when I'm > having a " better " day, > I'll forget to take my medications that are supposed > to be taken twice > daily. I also have other medications to take the > edge off of the " peaks " . > A lot of doctors don't even take the time to study > our cases - they just > see the level of medication and compare it with > " normal " people. And of > course, we are way over the top. But NOT for our > individual situations. > That's the catch here, and this is the point that is > so degrading and > frustrating. > > The addiction risk is 0.02% (in a study I read), as > our bodies use up the > meds in a totally different way than they would if > we were not in the > situations we are, and still taking the levels of > meds we have to now. > Nobody wants to be in our shoes, and we haven't > chosen to be in our > respective situations. But since we are, a lot of us > are not able to take > other types of treatment, due to lack of knowledge > in the health care > systems in different countries. > > We do not take our meds to " get off " . Yes, there are > times when our meds > will knock us out, but this is usually a sign of how > tired our bodies are, > and if the meds to take the peaks away, I know I'm > left with 1-2 days of > " recovery " , as I'm left with no energy at all. We > could try to " run away " > by taking extra meds, but it doesn't help in the > long run. I'm sure that > most here have felt relieved when they feel the meds > kicking in, but this > is not usually something that is directed towards > misuse, but simply that > our bodies need the " break " they give us for the > short time they work. And > yes, it does feel good to get a short time of pain > relief, but that does > NOT make us addicts!! > I know I am grateful when my evening meds work so > well that I'm able to go > to bed without taking any sleeping pills. This to me > is a good thing, but > it varies from day to day, depending on many factors > that we haven't been > able to map. > > Just my thoughts on this matter, and I hope 2002 > will be a more positive > year for all of us - maybe even some here can find > solutions to their > problems that can help to live productive lives!! > > Best New Years Wishes, > - - > > >Kathleen previously wrote: " We have struggled for > years to > >separate those of us who have a true need for > >medication to have a life, from those who miss use > medication to > >get high. " > > > >Thanks, Kathleen, for your very astute > observations. As a drug > >abuse counselor who is also a chronic pain patient, > you have a > >unique position to help us make a definitive > difference between > >what a drug addict is and what it means to be a > chronic pain > >paitent seeking a better quality of life with the > help of > >pain-relieving medications. Keep adding your two > cents worth! > >Ray > > > > > > > >Know someone who could profit from our list? Send > our direct sign-up > >URL: > http://www.yahoogroups.com/subscribe.cgi/chronic_pain > or write us > >at: chronic_pain-listowner > >Manage your subscription with several special email > addresses: > >chronic_pain-owner - Sends email to > the list owners > >chronic_pain-subscribe - Subscribe > to the list through email > >chronic_pain-unsubscribe - > Unsubscribe from the list > >chronic_pain-normal - Switch your > subscription to normal > >chronic_pain-digest@... - Switch your > subscription to digest > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2002 Report Share Posted January 1, 2002 Annie previously wrote: " I saw a program on tv about oxycotin and the people who are crying because they became addicted. People have to take responcibility for what they do. If people misuse anything,they can become addicted. On the show they also showed people like a 12 year old child who was able to leave his wheelchair and try to live his life alittle bit better. I know without my med I wouldn,t be able to move,walk or work without pain. " Annie, You point out some very important understandings of taking medications for chronic pain management. The quality of life can be vastly improved, as in the case of the child you mentioned, by the appropriate use of oxycontin and other similar medication. You also point out that many who are or have become addicted to oxycontin did so by abusing, i.e., not following their doctor's instructions. Too many times people will increase medications without consulting their physician which can result in addiction. There are days when I wish I could take an extra oxycontin tablet due to uncontrolled pain, but I don't. Chronic pain patients should not change their doseages of any medication without first consulting their doctor. If pain returns before the time for the next doseage, this is important enough to contact your doctor immediately. He or she may prescribe additional medications to take or may change your prescription. I wish I could have seen the TV program you mentioned. It is easy to blame a medication for your addiction to it when in reality it is one's own fault from abusing it by not following the doctor's prescription. The pills don't jump into your mouth. You have to make a decision to take a pill, or not take a pill. I've worked with drug and alcohol addicts in hospital settings as a therapist. Addicts think differently and justify their abusive actions. As far as the addict is concerned it is never his or her fault that he or she is addicted. Until such a person takes responsibility for his/her own life and his/her own decisions they will continue to abuse alcohol and drugs. Working with members of this list and with chronic pain patients while I was a pastor, I can definitely tell you that there is a big psychological difference between the two groups. As has been mentioned, chronic pain patients take pain relief medications to improve the quality of their life and resume activities they have had to stop doing because of the uncontrolled pain. Addicts abuse medications to get the " high " and to experience that " high " as often as possible. Ray in Virginia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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