When Managing Pain Becomes An Addiction

by AdamS on August 17, 2012

When an individual goes to see the doctor about chronic pain, or if they need help coping with pain caused by surgery or a medical procedure, the physician will typically give them medication to solve the problem. Opiate pain killers are the most common drugs that are given to people in this circumstance. Although this type of medication can be extremely beneficial for both emotional and physical pain, they are unfortunately very addicting.  According to the American Pain Society and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, most of the people that are given this kind of medication are perfectly capable to take them without getting developing an addiction. However, this is not so easy for people that might have had previous addictions to opiates, or for those that rather have an alternative form of pain relief. Find out more about the effects of an addiction to pain killers at https://www.thewatershed.com/treatment/resources/oxycodone-effects-and-addiction-treatment.

Non-Addictive Pain Medications

There are many alternative forms of painkillers that are non-addictive in nature and can provide the same relief as a typical opiate. These can include anti-inflammatory, anti-arrhythmic, and anti-epileptic drugs. Many of these drugs can be attained over-the-counter with a prescription such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Physicians at addiction treatment centers will use these types of drugs to treat patients going through detoxification to cope with uncomfortable and painful withdrawal symptoms without the risk of causing an addiction.

Massage And Acupuncture

Not all pain is physical, in some cases people can go through very intense emotional depression. Massage therapy can be a great way to relieve that has caused tension in the body to build up. Some massage therapists also offer services like guided meditation and deep breathing exercises that help reduce emotional distress and pain. Acupuncture is growing in popularity as a means to get rid of pain. This practice functions to balance chemicals in the body and encourage the release of endorphins and activation neurotransmitters that block pain.

A Healthy Life Style

There are some painful diseases that people can develop from lack of exercise and a poor diet that eventually cause pain. With sufficient exercise, a person can get a regular release of endorphins that are responsible for positive emotions. It will also strengthen muscles to prevent injury and reduce various forms of pain. The right kind of eating habits and adequate hydration can increase recovery time of injury exponentially. It is important to speak with your doctor before drastically changing your diet or exercise plan because they should be specific to your needs.

Although taking prescription pain medication can be the best choice for some, they are not for everyone. Opiates like morphine, methadone, and oxycodone are two types of drugs that are commonly prescribed to alleviate pain but are unfortunately addicting. If you are addicted to prescription pain medication and you are ready to get help, there are drug rehab facilities that can help you. It is important to find a treatment center with a professional medical detox program because of the uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous withdrawal symptoms. For more information about opiate abuse, go to https://www.thewatershed.com/resource/opiate-abuse/.

Comments on this entry are closed.

Previous post:

Next post: