Addiction vs Physical Dependence - Important Distinction

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Addiction is a nasty word. Especially when applied to those who are physically dependent upon analgesics or painkillers. Though the definitions of addiction vary, most addicts are pigeonholed into one negative category.

Some painkiller addicts – including celebrities such as right-wing radio host, Rush Limbaugh, singer/actress Courtney Love, and “Friends” star Matthew Perry – can obtain a bad reputation for becoming dependent; others simply need them in order to survive their day to day lives.

Judy*, 53, is a high school teacher from Williamsburg, Virginia. She is dependent on her Duragesic patch.

Nina* works as a computer programmer in Tuscon, Arizona. She is dependent on Tylenol 3, a form of codeine.

Jennifer*, 31, is a business analyst from Alberta, Canada. She is dependent on MS-Contin, a morphine-based time release pill.

The difference between these three women and recreational users is that they all suffer from chronic pain, a health problem that affects more than 34 million Americans each year.

“Chronic pain is pain that continues a month or more beyond the usual recovery period for an injury or illness or that goes on for months or years due to a chronic condition. The pain is usually not constant but can interfere with daily life at all levels,” said the American Chronic Pain Association’s website.

According to the University of Virginia’s Health System, chronic pain is reportedly the most expensive health problem in the United States today with an estimated annual cost of $90 billion.

Though Judy, Nina, and Jennifer have different causes for their pain, they all take opioid painkillers to cope. These drugs act as mock, pain-relieving chemicals that are usually produced in the body. Opioids are the most commonly prescribed drugs for pain management and include oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon), hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and meperidine (Demerol).

In the course of two and a half years, Judy underwent various remedies to rid herself of chronic pain. In addition to a bulging disc in the upper region of her back, she was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease, a progressive condition where back discs literally deteriorate. According to the UVA’s Health System, 70 to 85 percent of all people will suffer from back pain.

Though the pain level for Degenerative Disc Disease is supposed to get better over time, Judy’s pain got worse. With treatment made by three different doctors, her list of meds included oral steroids, Percocet, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and cortisone injections.

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