Posted by ed_uk on June 2, 2005, at 9:09:05
In reply to Re: depression and relapse, posted by fuji on May 31, 2005, at 9:05:43
>Then comes the time to detox off the bupe. I had a client who was being detoxed off of narcotics with bupe by a doctor who didn't really know how to use it.
'Detox' and 'narcotics' are terms used when referring to drug abuse. You said yourself that were were taking opioids for a legitimate medical reason. You may be physically dependent but you are not an opioid 'addict'. The language which you are using makes you sounds like an abuser.
>I work in a substance abuse facility as a counselor and can't go to work unless I am straight/clean........
>I have pain
>I don't get high.....but you are straight....aren't you? You are not abusing your medication.....are you? All this talk of getting straight/clean implies that you have been abusing your medication. This is the language of drug abuse. You said yourself that you were taking an opioid analgesic for the treatment of post-operative pain.
>I work in a substance abuse facility as a counselor........
>I have physical withdrawal.........Surely, as a counsellor, you are aware of the difference between pure physical dependence and a true 'addiction'??? Addiction is characterized by craving, misuse of a drug for its euphoric effects, compulsive drug use, getting intoxicated, using a drug as an 'escape', large amount of time spent consuming a drug, non-compliance with your doctors instructions, increasing the dose without a valid medical reason etc. Pure physical dependence (ie. withdrawal symptoms on discontinuation) is a *natural* consequence of long-term opioid use, it is not the same as an 'addiction'. Since you are 20 yrs sober, I can understand your concern RE addiction.........but please don't condemn yourself as an opioid addict unless you really are one.
If you want to withdraw from oxycodone, you could get a prescription for the oral solution and (very) gradually decrease the dose using an oral syringe. Other analgesics such as NSAIDs may be useful for the pain.
Kind regards,
Ed.
poster:ed_uk
thread:504540
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20050602/msgs/506824.html