Re: Addiction vs. Dependence - to

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Don't feel too badly. It is a common mispreception about what

" addiction " means. Part of it is due to the lay press (just today,

USA today had a snippet about another actress that was

admitted to rehab for " addiction to painkillers " ) and even alot of

doctors mis-use the word. If you read some websites that are

published by surgical groups it is not uncommon to read that

one indicator for surgical procedures for pancreas disease is to

prevent patients from becoming " addicted " to pain medication.

So there are alot of people out there, even those that should

know better, that cannot understand the differences between

addiction, tolerance and dependence.

We are a more sensitive group on this subject because we

seem to run into alot of people: friends, family and medical staff;

that think of us and treat us as addicts. It is not uncommon for us

to be officially labeled as " drug seekers " (as Heidi pointed out)

and this is a hurtful and insensitive label. I mean, people who

are needing nitroglycerin for angina or broncho-dilators for

asthma attacks that go to ERs are not labeled drugseekers....but

like them, all we are looking for is relief from sudden, severe and

unmanageable symptoms. It is the whole societal thought

process that allows americans to show sympathy and care for

the heart patient or asthmatic while giving only disdain and

rudeness to the pancreas or other chronic pain sufferer.

Hopefully, you will establish a good relationship with a primary

care doctor, a gastroenterologist or pain management doctor so

you will never have to subject yourself to the indignaties of

uninformed ER care.

Do not be concerned that you have hurt any feelings or made a

wrong first impression. I did not take offense and I think that

other's didn't either. But it is important for you to have a good

knowledge of the impact of long term narcotic pain medication

use, both so you and your family are comfortable with you using

them as needed.

Laurie