Prescription Pain Medication
Prescription pain medication comes in two different classes; opioid and non-opioid. Prescription pain medication that is derived from opiates can be highly addictive. Examples of opioid pain medications are Oxycodone, morphine, and Codeine. While these prescription pain medications are very effective for pain management, the risk of dependency or addiction is a concern for both patients and prescribing physicians.
To begin with, it is important to understand the difference between dependency, or tolerance, and addiction. Sometimes referred to as pseudoaddiction, people whose pain is not being managed effectively may give false signs of addiction such as anxiously awaiting the next scheduled dose. If you believe you are not receiving effective management of pain from your prescription pain medication, talk to your doctor.
Similarly, if you are taking a prescription pain medication long-term, such as with a serious injury or disease, it is normal to build up a tolerance to your starting dose. This is something that should be discussed with your doctor honestly.
Addiction to prescription pain medication is a need to continue to take the drug regardless of the harm it may be causing and is marked by withdrawal symptoms whenever the medication is stopped abruptly. Most people who take prescription pain medication exactly as prescribed do not develop addiction. In fact, some factors of addiction concern are predetermined. An individual with a previous addiction is more likely to become addicted to prescription pain medication as well as individuals with a family history of drug addiction.
It is important to discuss past experiences with pain medications, family history and the progress of your pain management with your doctor. If you are not finding relief from your prescribed regimen, your condition may have changed or worsened. These are the things your doctor needs to know to find the right prescription and help you manage your pain. For these reasons, it is important to be frank and honest with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Cliff Schaffer does not personally endorse or support any of the comments made within the writings of this article.
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