IMHO vs GQ because I doubt there’s a hard-and-fast answer. Basically, are there any general guidelines for how long it would take a person to start to develop physical dependence, on using an opiate consistently?
It’s a semi-academic question: I may be taking a “holiday” from the medication I use to treat Restless Legs Syndrome (a dopamine agonist), and I can either “tough it out” by trying to get by with hot baths, a percussion massager, pacing the halls etc., or I could switch to a different class of medication for a couple of weeks. Or some combination of the above.
I’m not especially worried about psychological addiction - narcotics have never given me any sense of euphoria, and I don’t like the zoned/stoned feeling I get when on them. More concerned over feeling crappy when the daily dose wears off (it would be evenings only).
No, not really - just hoping folks have some information, maybe links to articles or whatever that would give suggestions on how long one could take something before worrying about the physical dependency.
I couldn’t find anything online suggesting at what point problems might be expected to occur.
I do know that 3-4 days won’t do it for me. Just nervous about taking something daily for 2 weeks, really.
I don’t know, I keep developing allergies whenever I find myself needing painkillers. So far vicodin and percocet have both proven to be bad, BAD little painkillers in my system (hives, nausea, all sorts of lovely side effects). Since percocet has an oxycodone base, I’m probably allergic to it as well.
My wife broke her ankle recently and she had a prescription for painkillers. I think she took them two to three times a day (not sure). After three weeks the doctors cut her off because they were worried about dependence (it was their policy, apparently, to cut off after three weeks).
Something I’ve been looking into recently (more out of boredom than anything else) is kratom, which is legal (or legalish). The article suggests that it can be used for medicinal purposes - or as a stepping stone to getting off of opiates.
I have been on Percocet and Morphine for about 7 years now for chronic pain. Unfortunately there have been a few times where I have been without the meds. The pain was not pleasant, but I am happy to say I had no cravings for the drugs. No tremors, no withdrawal symptoms at all, but my body certainly can’t handle the pain on its own.
So far vicodin and percocet have both proven to be bad, BAD little painkillers in my system (hives, nausea, all sorts of lovely side effects). Since percocet has an oxycodone base, I’m probably allergic to it as well.