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 signs that someone may be developing a dependence on opioids?
## From Pain to Dependence: A Journey Out of Opioid Addiction
**HOST:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re diving into a critical issue facing millions – opioid addiction. Joining us is Dr. Emily Parker, an expert in addiction medicine at City Hospital. Dr. Parker, thanks for being here.
**DR. PARKER:** Thank you for having me.
**HOST:** This week, we published a story about Jean-Marie, a glazier who found himself trapped in a cycle of opioid dependence after an initial prescription for chronic pain. His story highlights a heartbreaking reality for many individuals suffering from chronic pain.
**DR. PARKER:** Absolutely. Jean-Marie’s story is sadly not unique. Chronic pain is a complex issue, and while opioids can be effective for short-term pain management, they carry a significant risk of addiction, as we see in Jean-Marie’s case. [[1](https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/treatment/opioid-use-disorder.html)]
**HOST:** What are some red flags that might indicate someone is developing a dependence on opioids?
**DR. PARKER:** There are several signs to look out for.
* **Increasing tolerance:** Needing higher doses of medication to achieve the same pain relief.
* **Withdrawal symptoms:** Experiencing nausea, sweating, tremors, or insomnia when trying to reduce or stop the medication.
* **Preoccupation with obtaining medication:**
Continually thinking about or seeking refills, even if the pain has subsided.
* **Impact on daily life:** Neglecting work, relationships, or hobbies due to opioid use.
**HOST:**
What would you say to someone who is struggling with opioid addiction and feels like there’s no way out?
**DR. PARKER:**
Recovery is possible. It takes courage and commitment, but with the right support, individuals can break free from opioid addiction. Treatment options include medication-assisted treatment, therapy, and support groups. The first step is reaching out for help. [[1](https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/treatment/opioid-use-disorder.html)]
**HOST:** That’s a powerful message of hope, Dr. Parker.
Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us today.
**DR. PARKER:** Thank you for having me.
