http://www.minusbackpain.com/blog/treatment-for-chronic-back-pain-how-to-avoid-addiction-to-pain-medication/ Lose Your Back Pain Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:41:12 +0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://www.minusbackpain.com/blog/treatment-for-chronic-back-pain-how-to-avoid-addiction-to-pain-medication/comment-page-1/#comment-88 Jeffrey Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:41:12 +0000 http://www.minusbackpain.com/blog/?p=45#comment-88 Opioids can be taken safely, but only if the patient is aware of the consequences of addiction. When I was first prescribed enough opioid medication (oxycontin at the time), I took more than prescribed and paid a price for doing so. I became addicted to oxycontin, (which I think should only be available to terminal diagnosis, when taken in large amounts for extended amount of time). Until I was given the privilege to manage my pain with large amounts of opioids. I only received 30 or demerol a month. This drug is not intended for pain management and did little to relieve my symptoms. So when I got the oxycontin it was such a relief I over did it..to say the least. I never needed early refills or had aberrant behavior, but I did not take it as prescribed. Thus I became addicted. I nearly lost my wife, kids and my life. I now am on morphine. Which you would think is a lot worse. You would be wrong. Morphine only produces dysphoria not euphoria when taken orally. I take a long acting and breakthrough morphine. I take it as directed and only when I need it. Opioids are a necessary part of a holistic approach to pain management. I will be on them the rest of my life. However I learned the hard way not to abuse my medication. To take it only when I really need it. And to realize that it is a privilege to be trusted and have a good relationship with my doctor. Opioids can be taken safely, but only if the patient is aware of the consequences of addiction. When I was first prescribed enough opioid medication (oxycontin at the time), I took more than prescribed and paid a price for doing so. I became addicted to oxycontin, (which I think should only be available to terminal diagnosis, when taken in large amounts for extended amount of time). Until I was given the privilege to manage my pain with large amounts of opioids. I only received 30 or demerol a month. This drug is not intended for pain management and did little to relieve my symptoms. So when I got the oxycontin it was such a relief I over did it..to say the least. I never needed early refills or had aberrant behavior, but I did not take it as prescribed. Thus I became addicted. I nearly lost my wife, kids and my life. I now am on morphine. Which you would think is a lot worse. You would be wrong. Morphine only produces dysphoria not euphoria when taken orally. I take a long acting and breakthrough morphine. I take it as directed and only when I need it. Opioids are a necessary part of a holistic approach to pain management. I will be on them the rest of my life. However I learned the hard way not to abuse my medication. To take it only when I really need it. And to realize that it is a privilege to be trusted and have a good relationship with my doctor.

]]>