Addicted patients may be physically dependent on a drug, but physically dependent patients are not necessarily addicted to a drug. Physical dependence is a normal physiological response and should be anticipated in patients whose pain disappears and who must then be withdrawn from opioids. To avoid a withdrawal reaction, the opioid dose should be gradually reduced. The opioid can be given p.r.n. to treat the withdrawal symptoms, allowing the patient to slowly taper the dose. Individuals addicted to drugs make the possession and use of drugs the paramount purpose of their lives.
Addicts readily sacrifice all their moral and ethical values for drugs.
They are willing to sacrifice resources, money, social position, job, pleasure of eating, pleasure of sex, freedom from jail, and, finally, life itself to drugs. This picture is quite different from that of the cancer patient in pain who seeks drugs for the relief of his or her pain. It is rare that someone turns to drug abuse when introduced to an opioid for medical reasons. Unfortunately, our society does not distinguish between the legitimate and illegitimate uses of opioids. Therefore, any use of them is considered bad, no matter what the reason.