One of the more common treatments for chronic pain is opioids. However, there are fears associated with addiction when one is prescribed opioids. If opioids are taken in the manner they are prescribed, chances of addiction are very low. Addiction only occurs when there are some predisposing factors involved. One of these predisposing factors is a family history or history of addiction. Not only substance abuse, but a history or family history of psychiatric illnesses also influence addiction. The American Pain Society defines addiction, tolerance and physical dependence as follows:

• Addiction: Addiction is not just psychological. It is also genetic. Addiction is an unexplainable craving for something, which is called the abused substance, and a nonstop, compulsive use of it even when the person using it is harmed because of it. Along with genetic influence, the development and manifestation of any addictive behaviour are also caused by environmental influences. It’s a classic case of both nature and nurture playing a role in behaviour
• Tolerance: Tolerance is what happens when one has had prolonged exposure to a drug. Because of prolonged exposure, the effect of the drug becomes less and less potent in the person taking it, until it ceases to have any effect at all.
• Physical Dependence: This is manifested in the form of withdrawal symptoms when one stops using a drug abruptly, or when the dosage of the drug is rapidly reduced. An opioid antagonist when given to someone who is taking opioid manifests withdrawal symptoms which are a process of adaptation. It takes about a minimum of 6 hours to a maximum of 72 hours for withdrawal symptoms to go away. These symptoms include pain in the abdomen, nausea, throwing up or diarrhoea. These also occur if one stops taking opioid after a two-week usage. However, this is not a sign of addiction. It is the body adapting to the change.

If prescribed opioids, ensure they are taken in an exact manner predicted. Should the pain continue even after taking opioids, do not increases the dosage without consulting your doctor first. If necessary, take long acting opioids as opposed to the short acting ones because these don’t give a euphoric sensation.

Car accident reports will include all the particulars of the mishap. However, a complete report can only be prepared when all factors which might affect your claim or verdict in case you want to press charges against the person responsible.

Details of both the vehicles, drivers, third party witnesses, a police officer investigating the case should be included in the report for your hired representative to make a strong case in your favor. Even details like the type of accident and extent of damage will make or break your case.

The most common car crashes include rear end collisions, vehicle accidents caused due to extreme or unpredictable weather conditions, T-bone and cross traffic accidents, clipping other vehicles while switching lanes, even your day to day fender bender are all included in the list.

There are a few steps you need to follow to get a car accident report from the relevant authorities, in this case the department of motor vehicles. A database of all the accident cases is maintained by the DMV which you can avail for your reference.

Here is how you can get a copy of your car accident report:

• Log in to the official website of the DMV and search for the tab named “Order and access motor vehicle accident reports.” A search fee of $7 is charged to access your report which can be searched using the accident case number or vehicle plate number or the driver’s license number.
• It takes 14 to 30 days from the date of the accident for the report to be available in the database. It will take 14 days if the car accident report was filed electronically and 30 days in case a physical copy of the same was submitted to the DMV. In general, car accident reports might at least take 60 days for the same to be available in the database.
• Apart from the search fee of $7, you will need to pay an additional $15 to order a copy of the report. The search fee will be charged irrespective of whether the report is available to order and the search fee is nonrefundable.
• If you do not wish to access and order your car accident report online, a copy of the same can be ordered via postal service for which a search fee of $10 is charged with the standard $15 to order a physical copy.