As a lupus patient I am on two medications for pain and have been on them for over four years. I call myself addicted, my doctor calls me dependent for quality of life. I know logically that there is a difference but it doesn't feel that way when it is time for my 80 mg. oxycontin and my body knows its time-I do not need to set any reminders so I do not forget, my body tells me it is time and if I can not take it right then, my body harps on me until I do.

There is a difference between being addicted and being dependent and after four years on strong narcotics, I know the difference. The difference is easy-addicts take the medicine for a buzz, people who are dependent take the medicine to be able to function almost like a normal person. Without these meds, I could not get out of bed with the ease of movement that the meds allow me to have. I have been without and I know for fact that I can not get around as easy, I can not keep things down as easy, life in general is more of a struggle without them than it is with them.

I wonder what these pills are doing to my liver and other parts of my body. I have been on prednisone so much for the past four years that my bones are already showing signs of deteriorating and I am at a higher risk for osteoporosis than most people my age. All of the medications I take have undesirable side effects and damage other parts of my body where they will then have to put me on something to fix that. It is a vicious cycle and one I wish I could get off but this is the life I have been dealt.

That is just my two cents on the debate between addicted or dependent. In summary I think it depends on how you use the medicine and what you are using it for. I personally am dependent for quality of life.

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