Physical Dependence vs Addiction - part II
Just wanted to add that I was in no way saying that antidepressants are or aren't addictive or that benzos are more addictive that antidepressants....I was just explaining the difference between physical dependence and addiction as it was explained to me. I have very little firsthand experience with antidepressants, so I can't speak from personal experience what it's like to withdrawal from them.
Case in point regarding physical dependence versus addiction: I know my husband has taken pain medications several times in his life (and for fairly lengths of time), has even abused them sometimes, and he has become physically dependent, but never seemingly addicted. In other words, he had withdrawal symptoms when he stopped the medications, but after a few weeks, it like he had never taken the drug.....he didn't obsess on being able to try it again, to get more.
Now me, when I quit drinking, it was a great struggle for months not to drink again and to a lesser degree it still is a struggle two years later. When you've stopped taking antidepressants, Linasmom, has it stayed with you like an obsession in your mind? (asking because I'm seriously curious as I don't have that firsthand experience).
Proof is in the pudding. There's a pain medication that I was addicted to and physically dependent on that doctors said, and still say, is not addictive. There are now support groups for people that took this medication and became addicted to who say that the docs are wrong.
But is there a difference between physical dependence and addiction? I believe so as I've seen both sides of the fence (my husband's dependence vs. my addiction).
Just wanted to add that I was in no way saying that antidepressants are or aren't addictive or that benzos are more addictive that antidepressants....I was just explaining the difference between physical dependence and addiction as it was explained to me. I have very little firsthand experience with antidepressants, so I can't speak from personal experience what it's like to withdrawal from them.
Case in point regarding physical dependence versus addiction: I know my husband has taken pain medications several times in his life (and for fairly lengths of time), has even abused them sometimes, and he has become physically dependent, but never seemingly addicted. In other words, he had withdrawal symptoms when he stopped the medications, but after a few weeks, it like he had never taken the drug.....he didn't obsess on being able to try it again, to get more.
Now me, when I quit drinking, it was a great struggle for months not to drink again and to a lesser degree it still is a struggle two years later. When you've stopped taking antidepressants, Linasmom, has it stayed with you like an obsession in your mind? (asking because I'm seriously curious as I don't have that firsthand experience).
Proof is in the pudding. There's a pain medication that I was addicted to and physically dependent on that doctors said, and still say, is not addictive. There are now support groups for people that took this medication and became addicted to who say that the docs are wrong.
But is there a difference between physical dependence and addiction? I believe so as I've seen both sides of the fence (my husband's dependence vs. my addiction).
