Dependence Vs Addiction

Wow - I applaud you for the wisdom to be concerned, for having the guts to ask for help, and for having the willingness to tackle this head on. I'm not sure from your post if you're continuing to be prescribed a medication you're dependent upon or if you're having to buy it off the street. Either way - it's vital that you involve your primary care physician in the process of getting off the meds and looking at realistic pain management assuming that you still have chronic pain.

There's an important distinction between addiction and dependence. Dependence is inevitable for anyone who is prescribed long term use of opiates, benzos, or stimulant medication - it's unavoidable because our minds and bodies adjust to having a steady supply of these in our blood stream and they come to require them to function at baseline. Withdrawing rapidly from these substances can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, leave us very medically compromised, and in some cases, can result in death.

Titration under medical supervision is best to ensure healthy results. At the same time we need to develop strategies to give our mind and body what it needs to adjust and to get our needs met holistically.

I think you're wise to invest the time in getting off meds before starting college. The more stability and health you have the more likely you are to be successful. I urge you to seek support from friends and family - going through these changes alone is more than anyone should deal with. I hear you loud and clear that you're confident that you can do this part alone - but the very best result you'll get is you're sober while feeling lonely and disconnected from yourself and others.

You wouldn't want someone you love to go through this alone - so don't you do it alone. Good luck and blessed be - Jim