According to the CDC, between 2015-2018, nearly 11 percent of U.S. adults aged 20 and overused one or more prescription pain medications in the past 30 days — both opioid and non-opioid [1].
In response to the current opioid crisis, many patients and their loved ones are confused by the many terms associated with drug use — even if they were prescribed pain medications for legitimate reasons.
Addiction, physical dependence, and tolerance are three such terms that are thrown around, and while there is some overlap, they do not all indicate substance use disorder.
Here’s how these terms differ, as well as what to do next if you think pain medication has become an issue in your life.
Read more about prescription drug abuse.
The majority of people (87.2 percent) who take prescription pain relievers do not misuse them [2]. When used as directed, prescription opioids offer many benefits. However, they also come with potentially serious risks.
Sadly, heavy pain medication misuse and abuse have contributed to the opioid overdose crisis.
In the 1990s, opioid pain relievers were being prescribed at greater rates, and by 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency [3].
When looking at the data from 2019, the numbers are startling:
In some cases, patients will develop physical dependence or tolerance to pain medication, which can spiral into an addiction. They seek the same effect they once experienced when they first took the medication they were prescribed and end up taking more than prescribed. In other cases, patients have complete control over their dosage and addiction is never on their radar.
Learn more about the benefits of medically assisted detox.
If you or a loved one are currently taking prescription pain meds, it’s important to understand the difference between addiction, physical dependence and tolerance to pain medication.
As discussed, most people taking pain meds do not misuse them and take these medications for a legitimate reason. For example, people who take medication for chronic pain, such as the symptoms associated with arthritis. Unfortunately, these individuals are often lumped in with abusers — when in reality, they need these medications to maintain some quality of life.
That is why it’s important to know the difference. The lines cannot be blurred.
You may also be on the opposite side of the spectrum — you’re concerned that there is an issue. That your once need for pain medication has now potentially spiraled into an addiction. Have you formed a habit? Or have you lost control?
Addiction is a chronic, neurobiological condition influenced by environmental, genetic and psychosocial factors. Using the DSM-5 category of a substance use disorder, you need to showcase at least two of the following symptoms to be diagnosed with substance use disorder [4}:
Physical dependence is characterized by the manifestation of a withdrawal syndrome when you abruptly stop taking a drug, rapidly reduce dosage, decrease blood levels of the drug or administer an antagonist. Physical dependence develops following a state of neuroadaptation which occurs after repeated substance use.
Tolerance is when exposure to a drug initiates changes that reduce the effects of a drug over time.
Here’s the bottom line: Although physical dependence, tolerance and addiction may overlap, physical dependence or tolerance does not constitute addiction. Physiological dependence is indicated by tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, whereas addiction is much more complex, involving psychological and social symptoms. So, you can be dependent on pain medication and develop a tolerance without being addicted.
If you or your loved one are struggling with pain medications, Transformations Treatment Center offers comprehensive, individualized treatment. Seeking help is the first step in gaining back control over your life and future.
Contact us today to discuss your needs and goals. We’re here for you.
