Hi AngMichelle I have posted many many times about this topic. about the difference between addiction and physical dependency. As for trying to educate others about it, and especially family members, well like what others have mentioned they usually all have their own preconceived oppinions about it, and it is usually difficult or impossible to change their minds!
But with that said, you might want to ask them if they take medications, or know somebody that does take them, for high Blood Pressure, or Diabetes, or high cholesterol, Depression, anxiety or any of a host of other medical conditions that are chronic and long term. Even mental illiness's which by all rights is also a medical condition. Then ask them if they are addicted to their medications, or do they feel that others that they know are addicted to these meds? If they don't feel that they are addicted to them, then ask them why they think that people that take long term pain medications are addicted to their medications? There is in reality no difference. People with all these other medical conditions, become physically dependent on their medications, just like those of us suffering with chronic pain do with our medications. There are so many medications that people take for all these other medical conditions, that are physically dependent on them, and they can not suddenly stop taking their medications without suffering dire consequences! Some medications have warnings not to suddenly quit taking them, without being under a doctors supervision, as the results can cause serious and even deadly consequences! So I ask you, are all these people that take these medications addicts? I think not! They teach us in nursing school that very very very few patients become addicted to pain medications, if the medications are taken as prescribed and for the use of relieving pain! It is when the patient takes the pain medication and doesn't suffer from pain, that there is a problem! If they are taking the medication to get "High" or Mentally escape something then you worry about addiction. That would also apply with most other medication for other conditions too. Just as a "far out example" if a person was constantly taking medication for high BP but didn't have it, and instead was taking it to get "High" or to "feel good" or something like that, then that is a problem and they might be considered addicted. But if they are just taking it to controll their High BP then they might be physically dependent on the medication, as if they suddenly quit taking their medication, they might suffer dire consequences!
I hope these examples have helped, they might or might not work. Because unfortunately it is hard to break through preconceived notions that people have about taking pain medications.
Good Luck to you!
White Beard
Post Edited (White Beard) : 4/8/2013 7:47:15 AM (GMT-6)