How can I determine whether a person who uses OxyContin is dependent on rather than addicted to OxyContin?
When pain patients take an opioid analgesic as directed, or to the point where their pain is adequately controlled, it is not abuse or addiction. Abuse occurs when patients take more than is needed for pain control, especially if they take it to get high. Patients who take their medication in a manner that grossly differs from a physician’s directions are probably abusing that drug.
