Do you have an addiction problem?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Do you have an addiction problem?
3
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 3:01pm






November 14, 2005






Welcome to today's edition of Emotional Health, designed to keep you on track in a hectic world.





Spotting Addiction

If a person is compulsively seeking and using a drug despite negative consequences such as job loss, debt, physical or mental problems brought on by drug abuse, or family difficulties, then he or she is probably addicted. There is no perfect screening tool quite yet, but health care professionals who screen for drug use often ask questions like these to detect substance abuse in their patients:

  • Have you ever ridden in a car driven by someone (including yourself) who had been using alcohol or drugs?
  • Do you ever use alcohol or drugs to relax, feel better about yourself, or fit in?
  • Do you ever use alcohol or drugs when you are alone? ,
  • Do you ever forget things you did while using alcohol or drugs?
  • Do your family or friends ever tell you to cut down on your drinking or drug use?
  • Have you ever gotten into trouble with the law or other authority figures while you were using alcohol or drugs?
If you suspect that you or a friend or family member has a problem with drugs or alcohol, talk to your doctor, or call your local substance abuse helpline.

Image hosted by Photobucket.com


 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 8:40pm
No addiction problem here but treated like I have one!!
The docs don't want to give me refills on the xanax I
have taken for EVER!!! JEEEEEEEEEZ I have NEVER taken
more than prescribed or upped my dose! HELLO!! I am not
an addict!!! JUST HAD TO POST THIS! Sorry- Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 9:47pm

I know what you mean, Judy. It's kind of frustrating. My pdoc is now gone & though I originally could see her in another town an hour's drive from me, plans were changed & now she will be dealing with elderly patients. Believe it or not, my PCP is a little *concerned* about prescribing my klonopin. Hmm... For now, he's my only option. Like you, I do not consider myself an addict.


The reason I posted this info, was some of the questions that caused me to think. I know I'm a bit on the obssessive side, but the first one got me to thinking. Am I riding with ppl who are abusing drugs? My gf takes vicodan for back & neck pain. My neighbor has neck troubles from an injury & has RSD. She's always medicated. They don't seem to be over sedated. Until I read this article, I just never saw it as a potential problem. KWIM? (((hugs))) jan

Image hosted by Photobucket.com


 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 10:17pm

It doesn't make sense to me because my pdoc said that as long as I take my klonopin as directed and never more then he had approved then I am fine on it.


I think that to much emphasis is put on these "addictive drugs" we are here using them as they are meant to be used. I believe that some people do get addicted but that shouldn't make Dr.'s think that everyone is automatically going to be addicted.


It gets me MAD!

Image hosted by Photobucket.com