"Fear of addiction has prevented many physicians from prescribing needed pain relief and many patients from controlling their pain, but taking medication over long periods of time for medical reasons does not have to lead to addiction. The difference between a patient with addiction and a patient who is dependent on medications for chronic pain is simple. The dependent patient with chronic pain has improved function with his use of the drugs and the patient with addiction does not."
— Dr. Scott Fishman
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Alternative Ways to Take Pain Medication
What are the alternatives to shots and pills for taking pain medication?
Pain Medications and Their Content
Why do so many narcotic medications contain caffeine, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen?
Are magnets effective for treating pain?
What are the chances of overdosing with patient-controlled analgesia?
Addiction v. Dependence on Pain Medications
What is the difference between being addicted and being dependent?
What sort of side effects should one expect from this group of medications?
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