Opioid addiction

I just watched Painkiller on Netflix. A powerful story about the exploitation of opioids by Purdue Pharmaceuticals and the damage done to thousands of people. Just a reminder there are many alternatives to opioids. #Opioids #OpioidEpidemic #OpioidAddiction #alternativpainrelief #ChronicPainRelief #chronicpainawareness

The prescription bottles in my medicine cabinet are talking to me, my esophagus is craving the burn of alcohol, and every sharp edge gets a little too close to my skin.

The sun is a little too bright, and happiness is a little too sweet. Life is so boring without drugs.

My sobriety clock is haunting me. The numbers are holding me hostage and taunting me. I’m watching the seconds tick time away, counting down to when I lose this battle.

The chips in my drawer are a useless reminder of bad coffee and uncomfortable chairs. The months they represent have lost their meaning. I’d rather use them for poker.

I’m starting to forget why I’m sober. This isn’t what I thought it would be like. Were the nights I can’t remember really so bad? Do I really care about my damaged body? Do I really need any friends and family around to judge me? Was any of this worth it?

I don’t want to relapse… but it feels like everything that’s supposed to help is turning against me.

#AddictionRecovery #Addiction #Depression #Anxiety #Selfharm #OpioidAddiction #AlcoholDependence

It seems Australia has not learnt from the dire situation in America, whereby prescriptions to patients for legitimate opioids have DROPPED 60% in the last 10yrs, yet overdoses have DOUBLED in that same timeframe! In fact, reputable studies indicate where there is “No previous or current history of abuse/addiction, the percentage of abuse/addiction [in chronic pain patients] was calculated at 0.19%."

Cracking down on legally issued prescriptions [as part of the failed War Against Drugs], in no way is a good outcome for those who have responsibly used their opioids for years, i.e. a cohort of people who are NOT addicted to their life-saving medications, & who ONLY use their legally prescribed pain relief as required!

www.linkedin.com/posts/kevin-james-971278190_opioidcrisis-op...

#opioidcrisis #OpioidEpidemic #opioidrestrictions #OpioidAddiction #OpioidUseDisorder #prescriptionopioids #opioidmedications #illicitdrugs #fentanyl #Addiction #Dependence #policymakers #StopTheStigma #ChronicPain #Chronicpainwarrior #chronicpainmanagement #overdoses

It seems Australia has not learnt from the dire situation in America, whereby prescriptions to patients for legitimate opioids have DROPPED 60% in the last 10yrs, yet overdoses have DOUBLED in that same timeframe! In fact, reputable studies indicate where there is “No previous or current history of abuse/addiction, the percentage of abuse/addiction [in chronic pain patients] was calculated at 0.19%."

Cracking down on legally issued prescriptions [as part of the failed War Against Drugs], in no way is a good outcome for those who have responsibly used their opioids for years, i.e. a cohort of people who are NOT addicted to their life-saving medications, & who ONLY use their legally prescribed pain relief as required!

www.linkedin.com/posts/kevin-james-971278190_opioidcrisis-op...

#opioidcrisis #OpioidEpidemic #opioidrestrictions #OpioidAddiction #OpioidUseDisorder #prescriptionopioids #opioidmedications #illicitdrugs #fentanyl #Addiction #Dependence #policymakers #StopTheStigma #ChronicPain #Chronicpainwarrior #chronicpainmanagement #overdoses

So, my ex, who I'm very close to, is addicted to street fentanyl. Watching him high breaks my heart and triggers me since I went through his addiction all throughout our relationship. In total, I've been dealing with his lies and addiction for 6 years. It hasn't been easy, since he's often cruel to me when he's high. Low blows come often. Watching him destroy himself kills my soul. If I try to explain how his addiction effects me, he tells me "way to make this all about you". I've explained that his addiction effects more than just him, and that's when he shuts down. He refuses to accept/acknowledge responsibility for stealing my meds, and that makes his betrayal 10x worse. I feel lost and don't know what to do. I'm so tired of crying about this situation.

It is really important that the poulation understands the difference between opiod addiction and deoendence. A lot if thus is tge fault if drug addicton treatment centers tgst eill pop up furst on a google search (because they want the money). They are oretty much paud click bait from SSRI's & rverything else & often have very misleading information about addiction. Chaps my hide!

Research shows that chronic pain patients rarely become addictided. Ygere are a large number if studies to back this. Opiod addiction is more caused by doctors that prescribe them incorrectly or too long for acute pain. Or acute pain patients that use them too long ir incorrectly after and injury or surgery.

A lot of people unknowingly use them interchangeably & it prepetuates that all chonic pain patients are 'addicted'.

I have excerpted from an article. Please read the link for full information. It is quite good.

www.hss.edu/conditions_understanding-addiction-versus-dependence.asp

Opioids: Understanding Addiction Versus Dependence

Many patients are often confused as to how they can be dependent on a drug, such as an opioid, but not be addicted to it. The distinction is essential for patients and caregivers to understand. This is why recent evidence-based literature clearly defines the difference between addiction and physical dependence in drug use.
Physical dependence is when the body requires a specific dose of a particular drug, such as a prescription opioid, in order to prevent withdrawal symptoms. This typically happens when a patient uses a drug long-term (six months or longer) to manage pain associated with a medical condition. In this time frame, the body builds up a natural tolerance to the medication and becomes dependent on it to maintain status-quo. .........While the patient who is physically dependent may experience some euphoria while using the drug, the reward center in the brain remains “offline,” and the patient is still capable of managing impulses and making decisions in their best interest. In other words, the patient still has control over their use....

Substance use disorder (SUD), or addiction, is classified as abnormal and is defined by the DSM-52 as a chronic, treatable illness. SUD can have devastating, life-long consequences if not addressed. SUD results in compulsive behaviors that manifest as cravings, an inability to control use, and continued use of the drug despite its harmful consequences. SUD can occur separately from physical dependence, although in the case of opioid use, a patient is also typically physically dependent on the drug. ......with SUD, a patient’s actions are directed primarily by an overwhelming need to accommodate the brain’s reward center, and the part of the brain that guides self-control and decision making is directly impeded. A patient with a SUD begins to lose the ability to effectively prioritize their well-being over the continued use of the drug....
#ChronicPain
#OpioidAddiction

I have been of prescribed opioid medication for about 2 months now. I miss it. Despite how horrendous it was to come off them and all the difficulty I had... I still would happily have them again.
Does anyone else get this?
I feel crazy when I say I’d happily take them if I was offered them from a random stranger.. I didn’t think much to this until I saw the reaction of my closest friend when I said this.
Am I gonna always want them?
#Addiction #OpioidAddiction #Cravings