[Cold Heat]

We have just GOT to get over this knee-jerk reaction to drugs

I think that in this case, it is not the drug, nut the dirty word called addiction.

This word bothered me as well for a couple of years into treatment, but as I came to accept my condition, I accepted the addiction as a side effect and not a disease.

I have no other options except to die.

That would be the end result of the depression that would ensue if I did not take the drug.

This is about as clear as I have ever been about this point. I understand what happened to Rush very well.

[Cold Heat]

Nut =but (sheesh)

[eddie willers]

think that in this case, it is not the drug, [b]ut the dirty word called addiction.

I agree.
Diabetics are addicted to insulin.

An "addiction" is oftimes preferable to the alternatives.

[Dasaji]

but as I came to accept my condition, I accepted the addiction as a side effect and not a disease.

That is very profound, WS. My husband is on the brink of having to go to stronger pain management meds than what's available over the counter (he's not even 40) for back pain and arthritis in his hands and knees. The man gets up every day and goes to work in severe pain - and he goes to sleep with it every night only to wake up to it again and start all over. Tylenol, Aleve, Aspirin barely touch it. A tall vodka and lemonade almost takes the edge off. We've discussed going onto bigger and better pain management drugs, but that nasty word "addiction" (potential) comes into play - even if it's taken just to get a good night's sleep (which rarely happens). Your post has inspired me to perceive this as more of a kindness than social stigma - thank you.