The Addiction Help .com

I havnt been on one certain kind of opiate for a long period of time (1.5-2 weeks at max) but ive switched around from hydro codone to oxycodone to morphine to hydromorphone...

(I broke both bones in my leg pretty bad and had to get surgery, all are under prescriptions, not abusing, taking as needed but afraid i can develop addiction as is)

You need to understand the very importance difference between addiction and dependence. What you are at risk to develop is dependence, which is not much of a problem.

By the way, I am a physician with ten years experience prescribing opioids to both chronic pain and terminally ill patients, most of whom have the same concerns as you.

Addiction is a psychological problem that some people have (about 6% of the population) that is defined by a persistent, self-destructive, vice-seeking behavior. Such people can and do become addicted to drugs, sex, shopping, gambling and other potentially destructive behaviors. The have a drive or urge to do something that they would not do without that compulsion because of the harm and risk of harm that it brings to them, and they act on those urges to their own detriment. Addictive people are addictive in nature. Drugs are not addictive. People are. Addictive type people bring their problem to the meeting of drug and mind. The urge can be resisted, but as any alcoholic can tell you, it never goes away.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction

"An addiction is a recurring compulsion by an individual to engage in some specific activity, despite harmful consequences to the individual's health, mental state or social life. The term is often reserved for drug addictions but it is sometimes applied to other compulsions, such as problem gambling, and compulsive overeating. Factors that have been suggested as causes of addiction include genetic, biological/pharmacological and social factors."

Dependence has nothing to do with the mind or psychology. It is a purely physical problem that can happen even to an unconscious body. Dependence results from the body’s ability to adapt to changes like continuous exposure to opiates. After a time, the body has adapted to the presence of the drug, and responds to its abrupt withdrawal with about two to four days of a flu-like syndrome consisting of nausea, rapid heart, goose flesh, loose bowels and a generally blah feeling. There is no desire for drugs during or after this period. When it is over, you’re just like you were before you started the medications.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction#Physical_dependency

"Physical dependence on a substance is defined by the appearance of characteristic withdrawal symptoms when the substance is suddenly discontinued. Opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, alcohol and nicotine induce physical dependence. On the other hand, some categories of substances share this property and are still not considered addictive: cortisone, beta-blockers and most antidepressants are examples"

The 94% of people who are not addictive never crave the drug. In fact, they usually dislike everything about it other than its ability to relieve pain. They would rather not be taking it if they could bear the pain. The addict doesn’t need pain to crave and seek the drug. The addict is characterized by drug-seeking behavior in the absence of pain. The non-addict is seeking only relief from pain and will not pursue the opioid once the pain is bearable without it. A non-addictive person cannot be made into an addict by any known means just as there is no known way to remove the addictive potential in the 6%. The most that they can do is control their behavior, not their urges. Non-addicts have no such urge.

Addicts also develop dependence and have physical withdrawal symptoms just like non-addicts. The difference is that when the drug withdrawal “flu” is over in a few days, the addict wants to look for more. The rest of us don’t.

If you are in the 94% and have pain that is severe enough to require opioids (narcotics like the drugs that you named) for long enough to develop dependence, take them and then withdraw when the time comes. It's a fair trade: weeks of excruciating pain traded for a few days of what is indistinguishable from a bad flu at worst. You already know whether you have addictive tendencies. I can tell from your question that you do not.

2007-12-18 01:41:43 by lbckirko

www.dragresti.com ~ (561) 842-9550 Dr. Mark Agresti, West Palm Beach Drug amp; Alcohol Detox Specialist -- Psychiatrist, explains normal steps of ...

i have always had trouble sleeping but it is even worse now that i am trying to get clean. the lack of sleep is making it very hard for me to stay clean and it is very frustrating!! i know doctors dont like to give people like me sleep aids but i fear if i dont get something to help me i am going to falter. if anyone knows of a non-habit forming sleep aid i would love to know about it. nothing seems to work!

This is a question I have answered many times in my practice as an addiction counselor, but the sad part is, the best method varies with each individual.
First, I want to tell you that seeking help through ANY source is a positive step, and I commend you for trying to cope with these stressors that you have identified as relapse triggers.
Here's how I break it down:
1. Understand that your brain chemistry is changing, trying to return to normal. Abstinence from ALL mood altering chemicals, including caffeine and nicotine, will speed that process. (Sorry, benadryl is a mood altering chemical.)
2. Be patient with your body and brain. You've put them through hell. They WILL recover, but in their own time.
3. Exercise is good, in moderation. Google Search "John Ratey, M.D." He recently published a book called "Spark" that has an excellent chapter on addiction. Follow his advice to wear out your body and have it ready for sleep when time comes.
4. Melatonin has worked well for some of my clients, but remember, everyone's results will vary, and it usually takes at least two weeks of taking the supplement daily before it begins to take effect.
5. If you have access to health care, ask your doctor about Trazodone. I've seen recovering alcoholics use it as a sleep aid before, but I AM NOT A DOCTOR. Again, ask your physician. Trazodone is available by prescription only.
6. Meditation can, if practiced consistently, reduce anxiety, increase focus, and make sleeping easier. I have seen the Zen tradition known as Vipassina change lives, including my own.
The last and, in my opinion best advice I can give, is to find a 12-Step group. Narcotics Anonymous has web sites for most major metropolitan areas, and their sites all have lists of meetings.
I hope this helps.

2008-06-04 09:14:42 by sleepy

Price: $34.00

I was recently addicted to opiates and have quit completely. I was using them for about a year and six months into my addiction I stopped having my menstral cycle. I have now been clean for over a month and have not had my menstral cycle start again. Has anyone had this addiciton or heard about it and have had it come back? Or is this a permanent thing that I have done to my body because of my drug addiction?

Congratulations on stopping. Did you go cold turkey?
It was almost 9 months before I had another period and I actually ended up having to go to the oncologist and get infused with iv iron. About 3 weeks later I had a period. Opiates are so hard on your body especially when you take them over a long period of time. When I went off of opiates I went on Suboxone. It has helped, I have relapsed once or twice but now I am back on the right track. Don't trust yourself around them, I can't. Good luck in your recovery. God Bless

2009-04-13 14:32:29 by claraunhui

Price: $29.95

Methadone is just as dangerous, just as addictive and is MUCH harder to get off of (withdrawal is much worse). I've experienced this first hand. For non IV addicts who remain on methadone for years, why not just let them have their opiate of choice? Is this just politics?

beacue its harm minimalisations swopping an illegal deadly drug with the possibilty of jail, HIV.Hep c for legal use of a slow acting drug that doesnt give u a high.. but there are other options apart from methadone....other narcotics ure prob talking about can be used for getting a buzz from which kinda defeats the purpose.. need to take a long acting flat tough/peak curve type drug

2008-10-02 22:41:28 by chappy48

I most definatly have faith and believe in a higher power. However I have an opiate addiction but i dont do it to rebel against God or cause i feel like committing a sin, its an addiction. Do you believe God understands this and knows that I dont take drugs because i dont want to follow him or anything; I still want to worship him and follow his ways. Drugs is definatly not God's part of God's law. So can I still be true to God even though i have this cunning addiction.

Your saying this is an illness and can't be helped.What would you do if this was a cancer ? Wouldn't you be seeking medical help ? I believe what you say about wanting to serve God and I believe that He does understand you. My son spoke these same words to me for years until he really got serious about serving God,he finally went in for in house treatment. Today he is a counselor in a church and a youth minister.This has taken place in the last year.My son was into using the needle and anything else he could get ahold of.With God and help from Doctors and Counselors my son gained a Victory and now can help others as well. I feel confident you want the same thing in your life.Rest assured Jesus loves you just a much as my son Ben,and God loves him a lot.

2006-12-27 15:55:22 by jayman715