Posted by Todd (64.34.202.197) on November 08, 2000 at 12:48:08:
In Reply to: narcs posted by Brenda on November 08, 2000 at 12:09:30:
addiction is the "compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine or alcohol) characterized by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; also: persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful" (Webster's New Explorer Dictionary, 1999).
Taking Imitrex (or lithium or Verapamil, etc) because one is seeking the relief from CH doesn't fit the definition of addiction any more than does a diabetic's use of insulin. Many episodics use these meds, and often in excess of recommended dosages, during their cycle but I've yet to hear of anyone having withdrawal symptoms once they stop at the end of their cycle.