Tightly controlled by the federal government, opioids come under the jurisdiction of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Because the potential for abuse and misuse of these medications is higher than for most other pain medications, the government oversees their consumption closely by monitoring how physicians prescribe, how pharmacies dispense, and how patient s consume opioids.

This class of medications is associated with the potential risk of addiction, which has two components: physical addiction and psychological dependence.

Physical Addiction and Opioid Pain Treatment
Physical addiction occurs when anyone takes opioids for an extended period on a regular basis. The abrupt withdrawal of the medication will lead to a withdrawal phenomenon called abstinence. Abstinence is a withdrawal phase during which you will probably experience profuse sweating, feelings of extreme illness, abdominal cramping with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. You may also experience chills and the sensation of insects crawling beneath your skin.

The body’s way of indicating the absence of a drug previously consumed regularly, this phenomenon is common to anyone who stops taking opioids after the drugs have been taken on a regular schedule for an extended period of time. The phenomenon may last anywhere from hours to days and will eventually go away. The best way to avoid this extreme physical response to withdrawal is to slowly decrease the amount and frequency of opioids being consumed. This slow tapering-off will limit or eliminate the abstinence syndrome.

Psychological Dependence and Opioid Pain Treatment
Psychological dependence is the addiction we all think of when considering addiction. This is characterized by preoccupation with the medication, expending all energy in procuring the medication, and consuming the medication for reasons other than pain. This phenomenon of psychological dependence is a spectrum that ranges from individuals having minor cravings to being depicted as “drug addicts” on television, engaging in criminal behavior in an effort to fulfill their need.

Whether or not you’re likely to become psychologically dependent on an opioid pain treatment can be somewhat anticipated based on whether or not your personal circumstances includes more than three of the following; (a) family or personal abuse of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription drugs; (b) you’re age 16-45; (c) you were sexually abused prior to adolescence; (c) you’ve experienced (or are currently experiencing) any of the psychological diseases of depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or attention deficit disorder.

Next: Pain Treatment Plan