Addiction
Up to one in four people taking long-term opioid therapy will become addicted.
Your potential to become addicted depends on:
• genetics
• environment
• amount of exposure to the opioid
Addiction is not the same as physical dependence. Anyone taking opioids for as little as a week can develop physical dependence.
SIGNS THAT YOU ARE BECOMING ADDICTED
- Taking the opioid in larger amounts or for longer than you’re prescribed.
- Wanting to cut down or stop using the opioid but being unable to.
- Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of the opioid.
- Attempting to keep your usage a secret.
- Cravings and urges to use.
- Not managing to do what you should at work, home, or school because of usage.
- Continuing to use, even when it causes problems in relationships.
- Taking risks to obtain opioids.
- Feeling that you need it to deal with your problems.
- Making excuses when people act concerned.
- Giving up social, occupational, or recreational activities due to use.
- Using even when it puts you in danger.
- Continuing to use, even when you know you have a physical or psychological problem that could have been caused or made worse by the opioid.
- Needing more of the opioid to get the effect you want (tolerance).