The NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) makes a distinction between dependency and addiction: "physical dependence can occur even with appropriate long-term use of opioid and other medications. Addiction, as noted earlier, is defined as compulsive, often uncontrollable drug use in spite of negative consequences."

So there are two ways that painkillers can become a problem. In the first it is the physical dependence that results from long-term use. In this case the NIDA cautions that awareness is imperative. Both the physician and the patient should always keep in mind the potential for dependency to develop. When it is time to stop the medication the patient should be monitored and appropriately medicated to minimize withdrawal effects.

Too often this initial dependency grows into an addiction through lack of awareness on the part of the physician or the patient or both. Don't wait for your doctor to bring up the subject of dependency when embarking on a course of powerful painkillers. Some practitioners are notoriously lax in this department. Take responsibility for your own health. Be your own watchdog if necessary.

The second type of addiction tends to arise out of the conscious misuse of prescription painkillers. This group includes the rising number of children as well as adults who experiment with painkillers purely for their effect on the pleasure centers in the brain and the resulting euphoria.

The most popular drugs used for this purpose are Percocet, Vicodin, OxyContin and Lortab. Long-term use of prescription painkillers leads to tolerance followed by dependence and addiction. Large doses can even cause severe respiratory depression leading to death.

 

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