How long does it take to become dependent on opioids?

[Anonymous]

I took percocet for two weeks straight after a major surgery. At first it made me really spacey/confused. I was taking too much because I couldn't remember when I had the last dose. After about five days I was taking it at more appropriate intervals. Day 7 I ran out and went back to the doctor for more. By day 12 I noticed I wasn't taking it for pain anymore, but I needed it to relax enough to rest. Then I realized I was almost out and started cutting up the pills so they'd last longer. I was both sad and relieved when they were gone. There's no way I would have stopped taking them before they ran out. If I'd had more, it could have gone really bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was prescribed percocet after having my wisdom teeth pulled. This was before opioid addiction was a big news story, though I was aware that it was a drug healthcare providers often got dependent on (at least that's how it was portrayed in the media).

I took one pill and got an amazing high. I distinctly remember thinking to myself, "I totally understand how people get addicted to this drug." I never took another pill despite the fact that I now have chronic pain from a car accident (unrelated to my wisdom teeth, obviously). I have also been prescribed vicodin for pain, but it does not give me a high and mostly only gave me really weird dreams...so I also only ever took 1-2 pills of that.

So, for myself, I'm guessing addiction to percocet could have happened quickly...but vicodin never.

These drugs are mighty risky. Why don’t the drug pushers tell people?