Alternatives to Opiates for Pain Relief
Many opioid-addicted individuals started with using these strong prescription pain pills due to their chronic pain when there are actually many safer alternatives out there.
Everyone has felt physical pain before in his or her life. Whether from a stubbed toe or a stomachache; pain is unpleasant and unwanted. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, there are two types: acute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain lets you know that you may be injured or a have problem you need to take care of. Chronic pain is different. The pain may last for weeks, months, or even years. The original cause may have been an injury or infection. There may be an ongoing cause of pain, such as arthritis or cancer. In some cases, there is no clear cause. Environmental and psychological factors can make chronic pain worse. Chronic pain is not always curable, but treatments can help. There are drug treatments, including pain relievers. There are also non-drug treatments, such as acupuncture, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.
Are Opiates The Only Solution to Chronic Pain?
The National Institute on Drugs (NIH), estimates that over 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Chronic pain does not just mean that the pain lasts longer than the time it takes for the body to heal; it is a considered a disease that impairs function, distorts the nervous system, migrates to other areas of the body, and can impact moods and decrease a person’s overall quality of life.
More About Opioid Addiction and Chronic Pain
Many addicts with opioid addiction started out using pain medication due to their chronic pain. Innocently enough they were given a prescribed pain medication to treat their pain such as, Codeine, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone just to name a few, and grew dependent on it. It is known that if pain medication is taken for more than a couple of weeks, you could become dependent on the medication. First, you may take more than prescribed because the pain may be unbearable or maybe you started to have a higher tolerance therefore, the prescribed dose does not produce the same effect.
Recovery and having chronic pain is challenging, especially if you are living in a sober home because most do not allow residents to use any medications that could be abused. Even though it can be managed, most addicts avoid prescription medications because the chances of abusing them again are high and they don’t want to risk it. But there are alternatives to opiates for pain relief.
You Can Manage Chronic Pain Without Opiates
For those that choose not to use prescription medications, there are natural ways and over the counter non-opiate solutions, to relieve pain without any risk of becoming dependent on a substance. Some natural ways of pain management that are effective are:
Therapies
- Acupuncture
- Cold and heat
- Exercise and movement
- Massages
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Rehabilitation Therapy
Medications
- Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol)
- Anesthetics
- Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (e.g., Aspirin, Ibuprofen)
By incorporating any of these activities or a combination of these plus eating the right foods can ensure your body will function at its best ability over any illnesses, fatigue, and chronic pain so you can be your best in recovery.
On-Call Treatment Center and Pain Management
At On-Call Treatment Center, before deciding which pain management treatment is right for you, we will discuss all options with you and our on-staff doctor so that your treatment provides the greatest benefit with the lowest risk.
On-Call Treatment Center is an addiction treatment program located in the heart of Waltham, Massachusetts. Our carefully developed program of quality clinical care includes Day Treatment and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) levels of care. Our medical, clinical and therapeutic team of experienced and compassionate professionals is available around-the-clock to treat all symptoms associated with addiction as well as the underlying causes. Our program of recovery is ideal for individuals who are ready for world-class addiction treatment who have been suffering from a substance use disorder.
Let Evoke Waltham Help You
We pride ourselves on staying true to our name. At On-Call Treatment, we are available 24/7 to help in any and every way that we can. Please feel free to take advantage of our comprehensive recovery-related services in person, virtually, or over the phone. We serve men and women of all ages in our state-of-the-art Waltham, Massachusetts addiction treatment facility with a strength-based focus that exceeds the norm. Start your journey to addiction recovery today!
