Deb

We had this same discussion on another thread.

Physcial dependence on a drug is different than addiction. We become physically dependent on many drugs.....antihistamines for example....get dependent on those and if you don't use them you have massive stuffy nose, and rebound congestion. Most people can't stand the physical symptoms of not having a drug, or they think that their symptoms are from disease, and they feel they need to take the pill. That is physical dependence.

You can't take a psych or pain med for long before you have physical dependence.

Addiction is when you use meds other than ordered by your doc, or use them recreationally....or, use them for reasons other than prescribed.

You can be physically dependent but not addicted....that said, getting off the drugs produces the same withdrawal. The physically dependent person probably won't be attached emotionally to the drug...they feel awful and want off. The addict however, is attached to how the drug emotionally feels, so they have an additional burden, so to speak.

I think it is a fine line. I guess every one has to sort this out for themselves. You can have good reasons why you need meds, severe pain, severe autonomic symptoms, etc. however, the thing that I did not realize is how much the meds contribute to the problem, and how hard the physical withdrawal is.

I am two weeks out from using clonazepam and still sicker than a dog. Yes, I have physical illness, in addition to physical injuries, and have a good reason to use meds, however, I felt I was experiencing tolerance.

It is a personal choice. Addiction or adaptation, matters little when you have to go thru physical withdrawal. Ugh. It will take months to years, to feel half way normal, if there is such a thing for me. I am not willing to live my life on this drug.....nor to die early from it.