In the state of Florida, one question on the application asks if the person applying for a conceal permit is addicted to opiates.

As most all pain medication is opiate based. Given that constant, I would pose this question for debate. If you MUST take a form of opiate due to a physical condition, i.e. pain relief, is this considered to be "addicted" Does it matter the applicant has been taking pain medication for quite sometime and functions normally in their daily life? (Work, driving, shopping, or any normal event)

I'm not a medical or legal expert but IMO, addiction is psychological dependency while other meds may be physically dependent upon.
eg; hypertension meds taken daily are physically required but no addiction is likely involved. And even though opiate-based substances can be addictive, just because they may be required on a regular basis doesn't mean you're addicted.
Short answer is "no." Just my opinion.

ETA: welcome to the forum.

OK simply put and I'm not a medical expert or attorney either, from Medical News Today "with a habit you are in control of your choices, with an addiction you are not in control of your choices." If you only take the meds when you need them for pain your not addicted. If you take them for pleasure then you need help IMHO. I'm sure if a BG addicted to drugs wanted a legal conceal permit he would answer no to any question that would deny him a permit..

Also check out

U.S.C. Title 21 - FOOD AND DRUGS

it states from the feds.



"§802. Definitions

As used in this subchapter:

(1) The term “addict” means any individual who habitually uses any narcotic drug so as to endanger the public morals, health, safety, or welfare, or who is so far addicted to the use of narcotic drugs as to have lost the power of self-control with reference to his addiction.
"

Disclaimer I'm not an attorney so only my opinion and I've heard some cases where a state will remove you permit if you take any narcotics but this was read on the internet so who know if it's true and may vary by state.

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Psalm 23:4

I think we need to define addiction more than a dictionary does. We need to understand addiction and how it affects people. Each person and their tolerance to drugs is different.

I believe many people, more than we think are addicted to pain killers. They don't realize that they are or they simply don't care because killing the pain is all that matters.

Case in point. I know a man that has more guns than most people. Hundreds of them. Mostly collectable. About ten percent are for pleasure or carry. And he does have a permit to carry.

His health has declined in the last 15 or so years and he is always in pain. I've personally seen him take two different types of prescription pain killers and the same time and he takes twice the dose prescribed. His body has built such a tolerance that a lesser dose doesn't work.

BUT, the dosage DOES affect his thinking. His mental state. If you asked him if he thought he was addicted the answer would be no.

So to answer your question, I would say it depends. It depends on whether that person can function RESPONSIBLY while on pain medication.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

As a pharmacist by profession, I'd say jack the toad and gdnagle pretty much nailed it. Taking an opiate regularly as prescribed does not constitute addiction. Kanewpalde's acquaintance is an addict. Any pharmacist that continually fills prescriptions early places his or her license in jeopardy.

Over the years I've seen many people that are psychologically addicted to drugs that are not physically addictive simply because they fear the consequences of not taking the drug.

Like Kanewpadle said, there are many many people who are addicted to prescription medication and are not necessarily within the official definition of 'addicts' and I'm quite willing to bet that a significant number of those persons who routinely use and or abuse prescription narcotics for pain relief are carrying sidearms.

Stepping over the very fine line of pain relief is easily and frequently done and there are no satisfactory alternatives to dealing with chronic pain control. Drugs such as NSAID's, while being somewhat useful in the analgesic milieu, ultimately fail when dealing with long-term pain control.

What we are left with is a very real and very scary possibility of a vast community of glassy-eyed druggies...people like you and me...people who are otherwise mentally sound and responsible... who may be armed and under the influence of one or more narcotics. That doesn't even begin to address the idea of a person under the influence while driving, engaging in child care, elder care, or any other activity that requires clear headed thinking, compassion, or reasonable mental function. Nor does it take into consideration the prospects of combining narcotic indulgence and alcohol consumption.

I'm not suggesting total abstinence from using prescription narcotics; in their limited way, they have valuable benefit. But the key concept is 'limited'; no one wants to live in constant pain and if the only way to relieve it is by consuming large and constant quantities of narcotics, then most people will opt for it.

It's a scary world out there; be safe, wise, and observant.

The sad part is the people who need to answer yes to that question are most likely going to answer no.

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There ya go. This is the "A" answer. I have almost NO tolerance for such pain meds and can barely take what is prescribed after surgery. My wife has terrible migraines, and used to have a tolerance for pain meds that was mind boggling, but she only took them when she had to. Now, she can barely take them because they often lead to rebound migraines. I know a few pretty sharp people who were frightened by their pain meds because they perceived the ease of becoming addicted.

FWIW, that question tracks one of the federal disqualifiers that is asked on the 4473 based on the relevant statute. One who is actually addicted to their meds is a prohibited party under federal law.

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NHI, 10-8.

I can't stand pain meds, they bind me up, if you know what I mean, it's good old fashioned Aspirin for me.

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Back to back World War Champs.

To take this to the next level, be careful with any prescription med. Even if you can legitimately answer no to the question of addiction, you should not carry while taking any narcotic. Doing so just opens the door to many other issues.

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