T he Long Journey Out of Opioid Dependency
“I was in so much pain that, some days, when I came home from work, I would sit on my couch, not move until the next morning, without eating…”
Jean-Marie, a fifty-year-old glazier, remembers vividly the agony that consumed him after being diagnosed with degenerative disc disease.
In 2012, a scan revealed a spinal birth defect that led to the degeneration of his vertebral discs. His doctors first prescribed painkillers and muscle relaxants, but the relief was short-lived. Subsequently, they turned to a powerful painkiller – sustained-release morphine, in a brand called Skenan.
No doctor warned him of the risk of dependency associated with high doses. Jean-Marie admits he didn’t read the instructions. For a week, the pain subsided. When it inevitably returned, his emergency fix provided temporary relief.
“I was in the moon,” he confided to his doctor, hoping for a solution. The doctor, seeming unfazed, suggested yet another form of morphine – Actiskenan, a faster-acting morphine. He took six tablets a day. “I took it to be able to work: you are in pain, you take one and you can leave,” he shared with a sigh.
Jean-Marie was taking around ten pills a day. He became dependent.
A Spiral of Dependency
Every three months, his prescription was renewed. No physical examinations, no probing questions.
Then, in 2017, the inevitable happened. Vomiting, sweating, diarrhea. He found himself in the emergency room, consumed by the agony of withdrawal.
“They gave me my dose, and I felt better,” he recalls.
The emergency doctor pointed him toward addressing his addiction. Referral in hand, Jean-Marie found himself at the university addiction service in Lyon, under the care
of Dr. Benjamin Rolland, who had recently founded the Lyon Resource Center for Addiction in May 2023. Slowly, month by month, Jean-Marie began to wean himself off the drugs that had come to both soothe and enslave him.
One question haunts him: why wasn’t he warned? “Why was I allowed to gorge myself on medications from 2012 to 2017? Why didn’t anyone tell me?”. The emotional wound of neglect persists.
An Ongoing Challenge
For many, opioids provide relief from agonizing pain. But they also hold a dangerous potency. Opioids encompass both natural substances like morphine, codeine, and synthetic ones like fentanyl or tramadol. Due to their effectiveness in combatting moderate to severe pain, often stemming from conditions like cancer, post-surgical recovery, or chronic pain
These drugs target opioid receptors within the brain, playing a key role in regulating pain perception. They also significantly elevate feelings of pleasure, reward, and well-being.
Walking the tightrope between pain relief and addiction is a complex and delicate process.
This is a story of navigating those complexities.
It’s an ongoing battle.
What are some crucial factors that contribute to the development of opioid dependency?
## Interview: Breaking Free from Opioid Dependency with Jean-Marie
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re talking about a deeply personal and important issue: opioid dependency. Joining us is Jean-Marie, a 50-year-old glazier who bravely shares his experience battling opioid addiction after suffering from a degenerative disc disease. Jean-Marie, thank you for being here.
**Jean-Marie:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your story is truly powerful. You were prescribed opioids for pain management, but quickly became dependent. Can you tell us a bit about that journey and what led to your realization of the problem?
**Jean-Marie:** It started with real pain. My degenerative disc disease was debilitating. Doctors initially prescribed regular painkillers, but the relief was short-lived. Then came the morphine. It masked the pain, but it also created a new kind of suffering. [[1](https://www.psychiatry.org/Patients-Families/Opioid-Use-Disorder)] I found myself needing more and more to function, to even get through a workday. It was a vicious cycle.
**Host:** You mentioned feeling trapped by the dependency. How did you finally break free?
**Jean-Marie:** Hitting rock bottom definitely plays a part. I ended up in the emergency room with brutal withdrawal symptoms. Just thinking about that makes me shiver.
The emergency doctor, thankfully, recognized my addiction and helped me get connected with a specialized addiction service in Lyon. It was a long and challenging road, but with support and determination, I managed to wean myself off opioids.
**Host:** Your story underscores the complexities of opioid dependency. What message would you give to individuals struggling with similar issues or concerned loved ones?
**Jean-Marie:** Firstly, know that you are not alone. Addiction can happen to anyone. [[1](https://www.psychiatry.org/Patients-Families/Opioid-Use-Disorder)]Secondly, please seek help. There are resources available, even if it feels overwhelming at first. Don’t let shame or fear prevent you from taking that crucial step towards recovery. You deserve a life free from the grip of opioid dependency.
**Host:** Powerful words, Jean-Marie. Thank you for your honesty and courage. Your story provides hope and inspiration to many.
Remember folks, resources for opioid addiction are available. Don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ll be back after the break with more on this important topic.
