I知 dependent on narcotics; that doesn稚 mean I知 an addict.

[Warpy]

4. Dependency and addiction are completely different phenomena

In dependency, the person is most functional on the drug, will become ill if the drug is discontinued suddenly, but will have no cravings for the drug, even if the withdrawal is fatal.

People are dependent on insulin, glucocorticoids (non anabolic steroids), antidepressants, high blood pressure drugs, and, yes, opiates.

Addicts, on the other hand, experience frequent, intense cravings for their drug of choice. The cravings and even the symptoms of withdrawal will lessen markedly when a deprived addict gets a supply of his drug of choice, long before he actually ingests that drug.

When a drug dependent person is determined not to need the drug any longer and is tapered off, the person goes on without it, having no cravings that would cause him to try to get a supply re established. When an addict is tapered off a drug, he'll go out and find a new supply as soon as possible if the underlying cravings aren't being treated. That's why drug rehab so often fails.

True addicts are actually fairly rare. Most people would prefer to have their brains work correctly, given a choice, which sets the human race down firmly on the side of sobriety. People who become dependent on pain medication long after the source of the pain has gone are generally taking the drug out of fear the pain might return.