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 were the risks associated with long-term opioid use that Jean-Marie was not warned about?
## Interview: The Long Journey Out of Opioid Dependency
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re tackling a deeply important issue: opioid dependency. Joining us is Jean-Marie, who bravely shares his story of navigating pain, addiction, and ultimately, finding his way back to a fulfilling life. Jean-Marie, thank you for being here.
**Jean-Marie**: Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Can you tell us a little about your experience with pain and how it led to opioid use?
**Jean-Marie**: It all started with degenerative disc disease. The pain was debilitating, completely consuming some days. My doctors started with regular painkillers, but they didn’t offer much relief. Eventually, they prescribed Skenan, a slow-release morphine.
**Host:** I see. And did you receive any information about the risks associated with long-term opioid use?
**Jean-Marie**: Honestly, no. No one really warned me about the possibility of dependency. I was so focused on getting out of pain, I didn’t think about the bigger picture. [[1](https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/opioids/opioid-use-disorder/)]
**Host:** It sounds like a difficult situation. When did you realize that you had become dependent on the medication?
**Jean-Marie**: It was insidious. My doses gradually increased. I was taking upwards of 10 pills a day just to function.
**Host**: you reached a breaking point. What happened?
**Jean-Marie**: The withdrawals were unbearable. Vomiting, sweating, diarrhea, I felt like I was dying. It was then, in the emergency room, that I truly understood the grip this addiction had on me.
**Host:** What steps did you take to break free from dependency?
**Jean-Marie:** I sought help at the university addiction service in Lyon. With their guidance and support, I slowly began to taper off the medication and learn coping mechanisms for managing my pain without relying on opioids. It was a long and painful process, but ultimately, it was worth it.
**Host:** Your story is incredibly powerful. What message do you have for people who are struggling with opioid dependency?
**Jean-Marie**: You are not alone. Reach out for help. There are resources available, and recovery is possible, even if it seems impossible at first. [[1](https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/opioids/opioid-use-disorder/)]
**Host:** Jean-Marie, thank you for your honesty and courage. Your story is a reminder that we must approach pain management with caution and awareness, and remember that there is always hope for healing.
**Jean-Marie**: Thank you.
