There is a difference between addiction and dependence. Addiction implies misusing substances, increasing tolerances, continued use despite negative consequences and an inability to stop. Sometimes there is also physical dependence.

With psych meds, you can become physically dependent on them, without addiction. The dependence manifests itself, when you try to come off them and get discontinuation syndrome (fancy way of saying withdrawal). All that means is you need to do a slow taper off the med, with the help of a Dr. Personally I've been told that if I want to come off one of my meds, it would take at least 18 months to taper safely.

I do believe that meds are necessary for some people - I definitely need them, so I have trouble with people who say all meds are bad. If you find meds personally helpful in making your life better, then by all means keep taking them, and don't worry about what people who aren't Dr's say.

splitimage