Can You Use Opiates Ever Again After An Addiction?

From what I've seen, people who struggle with addiction will always struggle with it. The question is whether you were really addicted or just dependent on the med. If you were dependent (see the post on addiction, dependence & tolerance for more info) then that means you would still go through withdrawal, but you wouldn't be destroying your life to get the meds. Addicts will seek out narcs regardless of the consequences on their family life, friendships or employability. They will lie, cheat or steal to get the drugs if needed. If you really have been diagnosed with addictive tendencies (a psychologist could give you a definite answer) then you will probably always struggle with it. I do know of a couple of people who struggle with addiction who have been able to manage being on patches/pumps under careful doctor's supervision. Usually their doc will only give them one or two patches at a time to prevent abuse. Sometimes pharmacists can also get involved in helping to manage this through distributing the patches throughout the month instead of all at once. Not all docs are willing to do this, but if your pain is keeping you from being able to do much of anything, there are probably options if you look around. Also, my neurologist is concluding a phase II study of a non-narcotic pain medication that is supposedly as powerful as narcs so that may become an option for people in the future. You never know with these things, but if that one doesn't work out, odds are there'll be something else that will come along later.

If you were just dependent, then more careful monitoring of the medication, taking periodic breaks and such can prevent dependency in the future. Most of the time I have been able to avoid dependency by doing this. Sometimes the pain is so bad I choose to get treatment even though I know the withdrawal period will be very rough.

As far as the dental work, I have a close friend who is a recovering addict. She has been sober for 13 years, but 2 years ago was worried about having to get several implants. The dentist was able to work something out for her to manage her pain without using anything addicting. There are a fair number of people who have that issue either from street use or prescription abuse, so check with your dentist to see what they might have.

Hope this helps!

take care,
frances

Hi Mrspile;

I agree with everyone else's post here. There is a huge difference between addiction and dependence. I am dependent on my medications as is almost everyone in pain. The biggest difference is that if you are taking your medications as prescribed then you are dependent on them to keep you from being in pain. I am on Percocet and do not go over my maximum daily amount but need them for the B/T pain to keep me from hurting all the time. Where as addiction you will take more just to get a buzz or feel stoned and will do anything to get that pill so that you can feel good.

My son used to be an addict but when I caught him stealing my medications I went off on him and he realized that I was serious about the situation and brought them back to me. He came home in May and actually admitted to me that he had stolen more then I actually knew of just to get high. I was glad to see that he got off of this addiction and he told me that by me screaming at him and threatening to call the police made him realize that he was headed down the wrong path and made him turn his life around. This is a example of an addict.

Anyway, I would go to your doctor and explain the situation, that way they can have peace of mind.

good luck
Scarred

Only a doctor can say for sure, but here's an article that I found that can maybe help clarify the difference between addiction & dependence. The article is published in conjunction with the NIH, so it would seem to be a reliable source. Naturally, it's no substitute for a doctor.

http://www.cpmission.com/main/addiction.html

I've cut out a section of the article that hopefully can address some of your concerns:

Behaviors suggestive of addiction may include: inability to take medications according to an agreed upon schedule, taking multiple doses together, frequent reports of lost or stolen prescriptions, doctor shopping, isolation from family and friends and/or use of non-prescribed psychoactive drugs in addition to prescribed medications. Other behaviors which may raise concern are the use of analgesic medications for other than analgesic effects, such as sedation, an increase in energy, a decrease in anxiety, or intoxication; non-compliance with recommended non-opioid treatments or evaluations; insistence on rapid-onset formulations/routes of administration; or reports of no relief whatsoever by any non-opioid treatments.

Adverse consequences of addictive use of medications may include persistent sedation or intoxication due to overuse; increasing functional impairment and other medical complications; psychological manifestations such as irritability, apathy, anxiety or depression; or adverse legal, economic or social consequences. Common and expected side effects of the medications, such as constipation or sedation due to use of prescribed doses, are not viewed as adverse consequences in this context. ***It should be emphasized that no single event is diagnostic of addictive disorder. Rather, the diagnosis is made in response to a pattern of behavior that usually becomes obvious over time.***

Pseudoaddiction is a term which has been used to describe patient behaviors that may occur when pain is undertreated. Patients with unrelieved pain may become focused on obtaining medications, may "clock watch," and may otherwise seem inappropriately "drug seeking." Even such behaviors as illicit drug use and deception can occur in the patient's efforts to obtain relief. Pseudoaddiction can be distinguished from true addiction in that the behaviors resolve when pain is effectively treated.

Physical dependence on and tolerance to prescribed drugs do not constitute sufficient evidence of psychoactive substance use disorder or addiction. They are normal responses that often occur with the persistent use of certain medications. Physical dependence may develop with chronic use of many classes of medications. These include beta blockers, alpha-2 adrenergic agents, corticosteroids, antidepressants and other medications that are not associated with addictive disorders.

**When drugs that induce physical dependence are no longer needed, they should be carefully tapered while monitoring clinical symptoms to avoid withdrawal phenomena and such effects as rebound hyperalgesia. Such tapering, or withdrawal, of medication should not be termed detoxification.** At times, anxiety and sweating can be seen in patients who are dependent on sedative drugs, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, and who continue taking these drugs. This is usually an indication of development of tolerance, though the symptoms may be due to a return of the symptoms of an underlying anxiety disorder, due to the development of a new anxiety disorder related to drug use, or due to true withdrawal symptoms.

Mrs. Pile,
Please be careful with the idea of getting off of your meds "ASAP". Regardless of whether your are dependent or addicted, your body has become habituated to having the medicine in your system. It is super important to follow your doctor's orders & let him know if your symptoms become worse. I don't know about your individual case, but I have seen people try to stop "cold turkey" and ended up with seizures and heart problems. You need to be careful when decreasing the dose & allow your body time to adjust to each lower level. You can get off them if you want to, but it needs to be controlled & carefully monitored by a doctor.

take care & feel better,
frances

Thanks Frances and PAlady, so much. I know I am being very hopeful about getting off of these Percocets, and the reality is another thing. I agree that I am dependent, because I do not take more than the prescribed dose and always have about 100 ahead each month. I do not ever feel a high from them. Barely, and rarely do they relieve my pain, when I do have it. But, I only have the pain about once a week now and am hoping that is going to be the same if I can get off the meds. I guess I am just trying to think positive and will myself to believe I don't need to be on them. I need to also be aware that I may never be able to live without pain management with meds. I am just going to try to get off them and see how it goes, step by step, day by day. I did go see my dr today. My BP was great so far. She was actually amazed at how dependent my body had become on them at the dose I am taking. (6 pills a day) Oh well, each of us is different. She is proud I am doing this, and hopes I can. But I may be living in a fantasy. I am aware that you all wish you did not have to depend on meds, as I feel the same. It just stinks to have such a horrible little thing, have such a control over your everyday life. Thanks again everyone, so much, for all your support, and help. I need it.
God Bless

Awww, thanks so much Frances. I am very excited to have the celebration with you and anyone else who can make it off these. I will look forward to it. I am giving myself a realistic goal of about a month and a half. I will bring the cyber wine.

I have been prescribed pain meds for well over ten years. I didn't take them much when I drank but since I quit drinking, I have taken them religiously. I took them so much it ended my marriage. I never meant for it to go that far but I had erectile problems and then had a problem giving the meds up when I realized that was the erectile problem. I got a buzz when I first started taking but then the buzz went away and the need started. I got sick when I didn't take and now I am seeing this and wanting to stop. I have to ween myself off but am now on 10/325 Percocet 5x a day and I sometimes take more. End of month comes and I am out and I get sick. I am tired of the dependence so I am considering moving to Colorado where Marijuana is legal so I can take it for pain. They grow strains specifically grown for pain. I thinki this will save my liver and will help me around all together. I have lost custody of my child and have decided that I wont' go back to alcohol because of it. I drank heavily for 15 years, 30pk a day. Quit now over 4 years. No 12 step help! I think the meds took its place and that don't make me happy. I was prescribed them though, that is supposed to make it OK. wink wink... So, since I am single and can't see my 2 year old I am going to move to the pot scene and ski a little while I am still young and able. Have to get into low income housing so I will stay in a homeless shelter until I come up on the list which I am sure is a little bit of a wait. Will give me a chance to save some of my disability checks. I will camp in the park when I can and sleep in my explorer when I cant get a bed. Life is pretty bad right now!