[ShawnFromNYC]

Just because my friend stole his parent's percocet and codeine and prefers to sleep instead of work, socialize, or think about how his life is going down the crapper doesn't mean he has a problem. Right now, it's a choice. He could flush them all. But at what point does it become an addiction?

[the_fatmanwalksalone]

When you try to go without them and find that you simply can't... in the case of someone else and not yourself, try coaxing your mate to go without them for a day or two and see if they can handle sobriety. If they don't even want to attempt it, then they probably have a problem...Good luck :-)

[Dave P]

he addicted

[couchtalker]

Addiction and dependence are separate issues. Physical dependence results from the body's adaptation to a substance to the point that it cannot function normally without the substance. This leads to withdrawal symptoms.Addiction is when a person feels they need the substance to function and does innappropriate, risky, or illegal things to obtain it. Addiction is always psychological and often physical as well, but does not have to be.The question here is not whether he is addicted, it is whether or not he has a problem with painkillers. By definition he does since he is repetitively engaging in problem behaviors to obtain them. I strongly recommend he try to stop and seek help early if he has trouble doing so. I speak from experience when I say that opiate addiction is one of the most difficult addictions to overcome. Best of luck.

[janesmith768]

I applaud couchtalk's answer. Many truly do not inderstand the difference between physical dependence and addiction. Additionally if your friend does not have any pain issues, the narcotics will make him sleepy and lethargic. It may e that your friend is using these meds like many people use pot or alcohol....to escape their problems. Good luck

[blzabobb]

it becomes an addiction when you cannot be with out the drug, if he is stealing the medication that is addictive behavior and he should get help asap.