If a doctor has you on strong pain meds for over 6 months is it up to the doctor at all to help you get off them being that your body is obviously gonna be dependant on them after that period of time??
A GOOD DOC. SHOULD HAVE SOME TYPE OF PLAN TO WEEN YOU OFF PAIN MEDS. MY FIRST TWO SURGEONS DIDNT, JUST STOPPED GIVING ME THEM AND EXPECTED ME TO JUST STOP TAKING THEM. AS WE ALL KNOW THATS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE.
Rlcowboy . . you would think so, but unfortunately, most doctors don't know as much about addiction as they should. They think they do, but in reality, unless the doctor is an addict him or herself or has a loved one who is one, they don't. My husband has found a doctor to treat him who is an addict himself and I've never seen my husband happier or healthier.
Hang in there . . . maybe find another doctor who can help you get clean? Good luck!
COWBOY- THROUGH MY EXPERIENCE'S, HONESTY HAS WORKED THE BEST. THE WORST THING THAT WILL HAPPEN IS WHAT YOU FEAR, BUT IF YOU ARE COMPLETLY HONEST, I'VE HAD SOME DOC'S YELL AT ME FOR BOTHERING THEM.....BUT, THE ONES I WAS HONEST W/, MOST WERE SYMPATHETIC AND HELPED ME OUT?
I HOPE THIS HAS SHED A LITTLE LIGHT! DOC'S CAN BE AS BAD OFF AS US. THAT'S NO GOOD, CUZ HE'LL END UP IN TROUBLE AND YOU WILL BE LEFT HIGH+DRY THEY'LL WRITE AND WRITE MORE PILLS.... AS LONG AS THEY CAN.
I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST
A.C.
[This message has been edited by MScontin (edited 06-27-2003).]
It is up to you to know when your pain is gone, not the doctor. There are alot of people on this site that are major drug seekers. They tell their doc some one died or another story just to get a high. Get help and get into the real world!!!!
Even if Drs. aren't that knowledgeable about addiction, they should at least have enough sense to know and learn about addictive drugs and if stopped abruptly, withdrawal will occur. And even if they don't know how to taper you, etc. (whether they are prescribing or not) --
they should at least refer you to someone who knows what they are doing ... or at least continue you on the medications until you personally can find help with either detoxing or tapering.
I'm not certain, but I think there are laws about this -- like a Dr. may be negligent in cold-turkeying you a drug that they are prescribing and leaving you to suffer. I'd like to do some research on that ...or if someone else knows, I think it's important to know the laws in that area about Dr. responsibility.
Whats the doctor's resposability 
THEY'LL WRITE AND WRITE MORE PILLS.... AS LONG AS THEY CAN.
