dependence NOT ALWAYS addiction-- different

February 10, 2008

Just a thought. People who are taking narcotic pain meds for pain are not

always " addicted " . They are " dependent " because the body does not withdraw from

them without some kind of withdrawals if they are taken away suddenly.

However, this goes to say with alot of other drugs that are NOT narcotic. For

example... lets say steroids like prednisone that some people take for chronic

inflamation. If you have been using prednisone for an extended period of

time... it is to be TAPERED off because it can throw your adrenal glands into a

crisis and make you very ill. That is why steroids are prescribed with gradual

decreasing doses after long term use in order to stop them. Lets say SSRI

antidepressants such as Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Prozac and others of its class.

I am NOT addicted to Zoloft ... however if I stop it suddenly I can promise you

I will be in major pain and have a fibro flare out of proportions. (I know this

because I had stopped my prozac once cold turkey).

The list goes on and on of drugs you cannot suddenly stop without some kind of

response from the body.

Now, if I was addicted to my pain pills, I would crave them. I would continue

to pop them when I was not in pain to reach a euphoric high. I would continue

to seek higher doses to achieve that high. (legally or not legally). Kind of

like any street drug out there that people take to " feel high " . I do not crave

them. I take it only for pain. BUT I PROMISE YOU if I dropped hydrocodone

today cold turkey, yes I would go through some major withdrawals within a day or

so. This does not constitute addiction.

Ok, now lets say you stop your blood pressure medication that you have taken

for many years. You WILL get a very high blood pressure and feel like crap

unless you have put another one in its place to take over. Maybe even have a

stroke.

I know people who take prednisone would not be " addicted " to it..... but would

suffer consequences of withdrawing it suddenly after long term use. THEY would

not CRAVE prednisone. But they would be sick.

See what I mean? Just a thought. I refuse to give up the only medication I

have ever found that lets my pain up and allows me to function without the fibro

beast taking over. If I ever have to, I will certainly try to reason with a

doctor that takes them away and ask him to PLEASE wean me off them.

love and hugs,

Debra V.

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