Why are IV analgesics not harmful when used for surgery?

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Why the huge difference between a single small dose vs. what we typically know as dependency inducing? Is there even a slight risk of dependency after surgery? (Assuming the analgesic is only used during surgery, and not taken afterwards for postoperative pain)

Note: Harmful is not the word I was looking for, but I had to reword my post several times to stop it from being deleted

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Anonymous 0 Comments

They are. That is why anaesthetists have a specialist training program after medical school.

You are closely monitored with all sorts of machines that go ping, have machines that can breath for you if you stop, and medication that can reverse drug effects rapidly on hand.

Would really not recommend surgical anaesthesia be given by a rando. You’ll die.

ETA addiction and tolerance are generally physiological issues related to upregulated metabolism or reduced receptors or similar. This takes time and reverts to normal if exposure is withdrawn, so single doses won’t result in physiological dependence.

The other part of addiction is psychological craving. A single dose could give an intense high that a person desires strongly so will chase more. If you’re asleep when exposed, this probably won’t be a thing.

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