ChronicPainConnection.com
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by Karen Lee Richards, ChronicPainConnection Expert
One of the greatest obstacles chronic pain patients face in their quest for adequate pain relief is the widespread misunderstanding of the difference between physical dependence on a drug and addiction. Many patients, the general public, and sadly even some physicians fear that anyone taking opioid medications on a long-term basis will become addicted. As a result, pain patients are often labeled as “drug seekers” and stigmatized for their use of opioid medications. Worst of all, their pain frequently remains under-treated.
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My reason for adding these articles on Opioid is that I was accused of being an addict because I took Tramadol for my arthritis and fibromyalgia pain. A local rehab center had told someone I know that I was an addict and that hanging out with me would not help him in his recovery. So please understand that I know everyone has their opinions when it comes to what is considered addictive and what is not. There are many who are experts in the field of addiction that say that the rehab center is right and we who suffer from pain day in and day out, taking medication for our pain so that we can experience some sort of normalcy, are wrong. Unless you have experienced the levels of pain we experience, it's my opinion, that we are not addicts. We depend on our medications for some normalcy, so we can carry out our daily activities like vacuuming, doing dishes, doing laundry. Thant's all.
Hi Angela, I'm honored that you liked my piece enough to use it in your blog. However, it is copyrighted work and the Internet publishing rights to it belong to The HealthCentral Network. You are welcome to print the first paragraph, then provide a link to the rest of the article on ChronicPainConnection. Thanks, Karen
ReplyDeleteThank you for responding to my request so promptly, Angela. Here is the URL that goes directly to the full article if you'd like it: http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/coping-279488-5.html
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more about the misunderstandings so many people have about those of us who need to take opioids in order to function with all of the pain. It's obvious they've never had to live in chronic pain. It's become something of a mission of mine to try to help as many as possible understand the difference between addiction and dependence so that it's not so difficult for pain patients to get the relief they need. Thanks for helping to spread the word! – Karen