Addiction vs. Dependence

I have been in back pain since February 2005. Sometime around May of 2005 or so my pain management doctor talked to me about putting me on long term pain control. I certainly didn't know too much about it when it came about, but I have researched and learned plenty since then. Basically, rather than taking Percocet or some other short-acting medication too many times a day, you are given a regular dose of a pain med and them some Percocets for breakthrough pain. The scary thing to me was the long term pain control was morphine. As soon as I heard what he wanted to put me on, I immediately was afraid and didn't want to do it. You see, I was afraid I would become addicted to this heavy duty narcotic pain medication. I have learned since then.

Words mean things and there is a big difference between addiction and dependence. Addiction is when the narcotic is taken when a person is not in pain, but rather just for the buzz of taking the narcotic. Dependence is when a person needs the narcotic pain medication in order to function through the day, but if the pain med is taken to deal with the pain, you do become addicted but can become dependent. Probably the biggest step a person takes to not become addicted is to be accountable. I have a monthly meeting with the pain clinic to discuss how I have been the last month and what we're going to do for the upcoming month. Also, my wife is the person I am accountable to on a daily basis. I will call her during the day to tell her what I'm doing and how I am.

The fear of addiction almost caused me to not accept the long term pain meds. I have come to realize I cannot interact with my wife or family properly without some help with the pain. It's been hard to accept the realization that I cannot get through this on my own, but I have accepted it. I am aware of my dependence and with continued vigilance and accountability I hope it will never become addiction.