Addiction question for RWHN

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

OK, so. I have an argument that I was wondering if you can settle. Someone I knew was having a bit of a rough spot. Having a legitimately obtained prescription for a very powerful but common benzodiazapene, they took them exactly as prescribed (one pill three times a day as needed) for four days. They also drank alcohol while taking these pills.

On the fifth day, they decided that they no longer wanted to take the pills, but when they stopped they started having strange physical effects, primarily dizziness, tachycardia, heart palpitations, sweating, shivering, headaches, and anxiety.

On the advice of their doctor, they have gone to a half-dose of the pills, and the symptoms are alleviated. The plan is to reduce the dose over a couple of days, until quitting no longer elicits these unpleasant symptoms.

My question is this: one of my friends insists that the word "addiction" is not appropriate in this case, and that "physical dependency" is the accurate term. My argument is that he is being a retarded, pedantic prick who is butthurt at the idea of using the word "addiction" to describe exactly the circumstances the word was invented to describe, and that "physical dependency" is a nancy-assed euphemism invented by gay heterosexuals who wear turtlenecks. Which of us is correct?

[Sir Squid Diddimus]

I'm sorry Nigel. I'm not RWHN, nor do I have an answer for this cause my opinion here is not relevant. But "gay heterosexuals who wear turtlenecks" made me laugh till my gut hurt.

[Bu🤠ns]

I dunno if it's proper etiquette to answer before the person to whom this thread is intended but here goes (and apologies if I'm being rude, here):

I think 'addiction' is the blanket term for physical dependency and psychological dependency. Physical being the actual physical pain associated with the addiction and psychological addiction being more reflective of the mental processes/states one goes through.  An example being the oral fixation of smoking as opposed to the headache withdrawal from nicotine.

[Telarus]

Both terms accurately point to the physical processes occurring in the body. Both terms have their own emotional references. Your friend is trying to use non-emotionally laden terminology in an attempt to.... (what? avoid accusing the other person as bad/wrong/sinful? avoiding personal pain associated with the term 'addiction'? being all cabbagey and 'politically correct'? not sure, your call.....)

[Triple Zero]

[RWHN] What do you think I am, addiction-ary? [/RWHN]

[Telarus]

[LMNO]

Also speaking not as RWHN, I think the answer depends on whether or not you consider semantics to be important.

From what I gather, you don't.

But if you did, it would appear that what your friend is experiencing can be called "what happens when you take benzodiazapene."  That is to say, it fucks up your physical brain so when you stop taking it, you experience withdrawl symptoms.  Alcohol potentially increases this.

In general, most pedants would say that the word "addiction" should be applied when the drug is question is being used primarily for the side effects, and not to relieve a pre-existing set of symptoms (e.g. for recreational purposes).

It's a thin line, and is probably an emotional issue rather than a technical one.  Much like people prefer to use the word "miscarriage" rather than "spontaneous abortion", because of the loaded implications of the word.

[AFK]

OK, so. I have an argument that I was wondering if you can settle. Someone I knew was having a bit of a rough spot. Having a legitimately obtained prescription for a very powerful but common benzodiazapene, they took them exactly as prescribed (one pill three times a day as needed) for four days. They also drank alcohol while taking these pills.

On the fifth day, they decided that they no longer wanted to take the pills, but when they stopped they started having strange physical effects, primarily dizziness, tachycardia, heart palpitations, sweating, shivering, headaches, and anxiety.

On the advice of their doctor, they have gone to a half-dose of the pills, and the symptoms are alleviated. The plan is to reduce the dose over a couple of days, until quitting no longer elicits these unpleasant symptoms.

My question is this: one of my friends insists that the word "addiction" is not appropriate in this case, and that "physical dependency" is the accurate term. My argument is that he is being a retarded, pedantic prick who is butthurt at the idea of using the word "addiction" to describe exactly the circumstances the word was invented to describe, and that "physical dependency" is a nancy-assed euphemism invented by gay heterosexuals who wear turtlenecks. Which of us is correct?

Well, the word "addiction" is appropriate in as much as it does accurately describe what is happening.  The same can be said for "physical dependency".  In other words, you're both right, and I'd echo what LMNO and others have said.  But the good news, is that it seems like the doctor is working with this person to step down the dosages and to ween them off the drugs.  Rx drugs are tricky.  They obviously can do wonders for people, but as you've demonstrated, there can be drawbacks. 

Now, I would say that the consumption of alcohol with the Rx drug is a bit concerning.  It's apparent the chemistry of the Rx drug is having quite an effect on this person, I can only imagine the addition of alcohol isn't making it any easier. 

[AFK]

[RWHN] What do you think I am, addiction-ary? [/RWHN]

Good play sir.  Good play.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

Does your friend have to take it to avoid feeling bad from withdrawl?

Then he's addicted.  Trust me on this one, I've been addicted 3 times this year, on drugs alone.

[AFK]

Also speaking not as RWHN, I think the answer depends on whether or not you consider semantics to be important.

From what I gather, you don't.

But if you did, it would appear that what your friend is experiencing can be called "what happens when you take benzodiazapene."  That is to say, it fucks up your physical brain so when you stop taking it, you experience withdrawl symptoms.  Alcohol potentially increases this.

In general, most pedants would say that the word "addiction" should be applied when the drug is question is being used primarily for the side effects, and not to relieve a pre-existing set of symptoms (e.g. for recreational purposes).

It's a thin line, and is probably an emotional issue rather than a technical one.  Much like people prefer to use the word "miscarriage" rather than "spontaneous abortion", because of the loaded implications of the word.

Not to derail the thread, but I wanted to comment on that last one because I know that is something that irked myself and Mrs. WHN a couple years back.  Just because the term "abortion" is so loaded in society, no matter what side of Roe v Wade you are on.  Especially when you see it on the bill for services.  And that's why I think what LMNO says in regards to the Rx situation is important.  It is understandable why someone would be a bit defensive about using the term "addiction" because of how loaded that term can be.  Especially, when the person was following Dr's orders in taking the pills.  But it is also very important that the person does understand the seriousness of the physical dependency on the Rx drugs.  It is indeed a fine line. 

[Sir Squid Diddimus]

[RWHN] What do you think I am, addiction-ary? [/RWHN]

holy crap 

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

Holy fuck... this is a good thread! Excellent points all around!

Amazing how some words still poke at our emotions and others do not, even if the idea behind the words are the same...

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Thanks guys!

The thing that was irritating me was that the person actually experiencing the addiction/withdrawal has no hangups with it and was using the word "addiction", and then my other friend (NOT A DOCTOR OR SPECIALIST IN ANY WAY) was all "Oh you're not addicted, physical dependency and withdrawal symptoms doesn't equal addiction, you'll be fine" and then everyone else was pretty much all, "WTF, shut up you are not helping".

So it's nice to hear it from an actual expert that the annoying friend was pretty much being annoying and everyone else had the right to tell him to stick a sock in it. Thanks RWHN!

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I'm gonna go try putting some wet bunnies in the sun now.