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Old 11-28-2013, 01:38 PM
Hopeless Hopeless is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: USA
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Hopeless Hopeless is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 1,232
10 yr Member
Default Great explanation

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Smith View Post
No, that's dependence. It can get confusing because a person can be both addicted to, and dependent on, a medication.

It may help to think of it this way: Dependence is physical—the body becomes chemically acclimated/accustomed to a medication such that abrupt reduction/cessation causes physical withdrawal; Addiction is psychological—evidenced by cravings, continued ab/use despite harm to onesself/others (usually family members).

Definitions Related to the Use of Opioids for the Treatment of Pain: Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Pain Society, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine

Doc
Wow, Doc, that was a GREAT explanation. Thanks.

Hopeless
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