These are serious, curious questions, the first about this statement: " I guess I was only physically dependent and not addicted."
It makes me wonder: How can a doctor tell the difference between Physically Dependent or Addicted?
The obvious is if you keep asking for more and more and more. The 'high' you experience from just one tablet quickly goes away, but it does work to numb/block the pain so you can use your hands and even do some housework or gardening (yes, I'm old and retired My mornings are wretched, but I'm in my mid-60s. I should still be able to physically do things without enduring the pain).
If one wants to get 'high', then they have to take more and more and more. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the ODs on the pill form could also be caused by taking way too much Acetaminophen.
Also, if taking an opiate as prescribed, and it allows you to get through the day without the constant pain (I'm speaking of arthritis, specifically, combined with sciatica which will probably eventually require surgery again - laminectomy ).
How is that different from me having to take high blood pressure medicine every day (probably for the rest of my life). So you take it daily, is that how they determine you are 'addicted' ? I just don't get it.
I take one opiate in the morning, and the other 12 hours later. Would this be seen as being 'addicted' ? (then am I also addicted to all the other daily meds my doctor has me on? - patches for hot flashes)
I understand that there are many many who abuse it, or people who just get it to sell it (heck, $300 for $30? ) - This just makes it a bad environment for others who do not abuse it.
I'm just really scared that all this pressure on doctors is really going to hurt people (like me) that are just trying to have at least a part of their days that are not blinded with pain.
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