When you're dealing with chronic pain and a substance abuse problem or a prescription drug addiction, you need a program that manages your pain while handling the addiction issue properly. Our professional staff knows how to meet your specific needs in pain management.
Chronic pain is a very real issue, making those who are struggling with a substance abuse problem hesitant to seek treatment because they mistakenly believe that their pain issues won't continue to be addressed. For those battling an addiction to prescription painkillers or other substances, the fear of experiencing ongoing pain shouldn't keep them from seeking treatment.
Columbia University's Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) reports that more than 15 million Americans abuse prescription drugs. This new category of drug user usually focuses on prescription pain medications like Vicodin, Demerol, oxycodone, OxyContin, codeine or morphine. While the different formulas vary in their addictive powers, they all bring with them some risk of dependency.
It's a tricky balance to manage pain while not abusing the medications initially provided for relief. Some chronic pain sufferers get frustrated when their doctors can't find the correct balance, and they end up trying to self-medicate with other substances, including alcohol or other drugs. This only exacerbates the original pain issue and adds a new problem of addiction.
Pain Management and Substance Abuse Treatment at La Paloma
Fortunately, our professional staff has years of experience in dealing with these issues, providing treatment that takes an individual's ongoing pain into account. We work closely with these individuals to monitor pain and find alternative methods for dealing with it, both during the treatment process and after. The terms "cold turkey" and "white knuckling it" don't apply to our process. Instead, opiate use is tapered off under the watchful eye of our staff, and non-narcotic pain medications can be added in to alleviate discomfort. Issues like rebound pain are addressed, as is the problem of chronic pain, with natural, alternative methods like acupuncture also explored.
Some may question whether it is counter-productive to use drugs to help treat a drug dependency, but that's only because there's a great deal of confusion about the role of medications in chemical dependency treatment. Incorrect information and outdated beliefs have created barriers affecting the use of medications to treat chemical dependency, specifically in chemical dependency treatment centers.
Research shows that chemical dependency treatment can be far more effective if symptoms of withdrawal, cravings and mental health conditions are controlled. In fact, they are an important part of preventing relapse.
Pain Management and Addiction Help
If you or someone you love is struggling with chronic pain and substance abuse, please call us today. Admissions counselors are available 24 hours a day at 877-345-1887.
