The Difference Between Dependence And Addiction To Pain Meds

 

In this high stress world that we live in, it's far to easy to get on a road to over using any sort of medication. When does a lot cross the line and become too much? Where is the line between dependency to opiods and addiction to them start?

None of these questions are easy, and the answer can be even more elusive. Additions to pain medications such as Tylenol with Codeine, or just Codeine itself can be subtle at first. What is the difference between addiction and dependency?

Chemical dependency happens when the body begins to adapt to the opioid and the quantity needed to produce pain relief starts to rise. This helps explain why some people can feel relief with just one dose of Tylenol with Codeine, while others regularly need three or four pills, or more, for the same amount of relief. With dependency also comes withdraw symptoms, which can include high anxiety, sweating, trembles, loss of appetite and the list goes on.

Addiction is a little more serious. When taken in high quantities, these drugs cause highs and euphoria. The intent behind the use of the prescription is not pain relief, but the euphoria that comes with over use of the drug.

Addiction and dependency are not a small matter. Withdraw symptoms can be intense, and the long term affect that these drugs have on internal organs can be devastating.

If you suspect that you, or some one that you know has a problem with pain medications, it's never to late to get the problem under control. While many programs and articles focus on the physical issues that cause the abuse in the first place, don't under estimate your emotional well being. Taking care of yourself emotionally is the number one way to stop an over use of opioids and morphine derivatives in its tracks.