How Chronic Pain Relates to Addiction

Millions of adults struggle with chronic pain each year. Chronic pain can significantly hurt your quality of life. Fortunately, there are a range of both medication and non-medication options chronic pain sufferers can use to subside their chronic pain symptoms. When it comes to using medications to manage chronic pain, it’s important to understand that some medications can be addictive. This is why it’s important to follow your doctor’s guidance when it comes to taking medications to manage your chronic pain. Keep reading to learn more about how chronic pain relates to addiction below. 

At Tikvah Lake, we are a luxury rehab that offers a wide range of addiction and mental health treatment options so you can receive the right care to lead a healthier life. Our drug rehab has a compassionate team that is here to provide you with tailored support to best meet your unique recovery needs. Whether you are struggling with alcohol addiction, anxiety disorder, or a co-occurring disorder, we are here to help you get the right care you need to take back control over your life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you lead a healthier, happier life. 

4 Ways Chronic Pain Relates to Addiction 

Managing chronic pain can be difficult because while pain medications may be a good option for some individuals, oftentimes pain medications can be addictive. This is why it’s critical if you are prescribed pain medications for your chronic pain you follow your doctor’s instructions. Keep reading to learn more about how chronic pain relates to addiction below. 

Chronic Pain Sufferers May Self-Medicate to Deal with Their Pain

First, some chronic pain sufferers may turn to alcohol or drugs on their own to self-medicate and ease their pain symptoms. You should never abuse drugs and alcohol as a means to justify managing your pain symptoms. If you are struggling with chronic pain, it’s important to talk with your doctor about your symptoms so they can recommend and potentially prescribe certain medications that may help your pain. 

Some Individuals Abuse Pain Medications/Take More Than Recommended

If you are prescribed pain medications by your doctor, it’s important to take the right amount of medication. Taking too many pain medications without talking with your doctor can become a slippery slope toward addiction. This is because, depending on your prescription, some medications can be addictive, and abusing too much of the medication has the potential to lead to drug dependency.

Some Individuals Continue to Use Medications Longer Than Recommended

Similarly, some individuals take certain medications longer than recommended by their doctor, which has the potential to lead to addiction. This is because certain medications, like opioids, are addictive substances that should only be used short-term. 

Individuals May Abuse Medications for Fear of Enduring Pain Symptoms Again

Finally, some chronic pain sufferers may abuse too much of their pain medications for fear of their pain returning to the same intensity it was before seeking treatment. However, you should never abuse your medications and go against the recommended dose your doctor prescribed. If you find your pain medication is not helping with your chronic pain, it’s important to talk with your doctor rather than taking more of the drug to try and address your chronic pain all on your own. 

Time to Break Free of Addiction for Good 

Now you know more about how chronic pain relates to addiction. While not all chronic pain sufferers use pain medications like opioids to manage pain, some patients are given addictive substances for a short period of time to manage their pain while they seek other non-addictive alternatives to manage their pain long-term. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it’s critical you seek professional support to safely and effectively overcome your addiction. 
At Tikvah Lake, we offer a wide range of treatment options to ensure you receive the tailored care you need to take back control over your life. Whether you are struggling with a substance use disorder, mental illness, or co-occurring disorder, we offer a comprehensive range of treatment options so you can receive the tailored support you need to lead a better life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help support your recovery needs.