As of 2016, an estimated 50 million Americans suffered from chronic pain, according to the CDC. When someone relies on narcotic medications as the primary form of pain management, he or she risks becoming addicted. Studies that were done during 2016-2017 show that 2.1 million people had an opioid use disorder. While the pain can be frustrating or even debilitating, it is important to know there are alternative treatments out there. Pain management and addiction treatment centers are available to help you end your addiction and discover new ways to cope with or reduce your pain.
At Monarch Shores, we offer a variety of treatment options and therapies, and are standing by to answer any questions you may have. When it comes to pain management and addiction treatment centers, we strive to be associated with the best in the nation. Find out more about our pain management and addiction treatment options.
Understanding Pain Medication and Addiction
When a person is prescribed opioids to treat any type of pain, he or she can easily become dependent on the medicine. When someone is dependent on opioids, he or she begins to believe that the medication is the only way to curb the pain. With time, a higher dosage will be needed to feel the same relief, this is known as building a tolerance. Another alarming fact about opioid medications is that they activate the brains reward system, meaning the brain associates the medications with intense feelings of pleasure.
When someone is dependent, has built a tolerance and has taken enough opioids to distort the brain’s reward system, addiction is the next logical step. You should not feel ashamed or alone in your struggles, many people have fallen victim to the same process, and fortunately, recovery is possible. Pain management and addiction treatment centers can reverse the addiction process and help you live a life where your need for medication goes away.
Withdrawal and Detox: The Importance of Going to Rehab
One of the main reasons opioid addiction is so difficult to stop is the withdrawal symptoms that the user experiences. In most cases, when withdrawal symptoms peak, the user can not resist putting the drug back in his or her system. This is why attending an inpatient pain management and addiction treatment center is vital to your sobriety. Being in treatment removes all access from opioids, thus ending the vicious cycle of abuse and withdrawal. You or your loved one will be under 24/7 medical supervision during detox and will receive other medications to help curb withdrawal symptoms. After detox is complete people slowly start to think more clear, and treatment can begin. If you have never experienced opioid withdrawal symptoms, the following may paint a picture as to why most people can’t just stop.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Muscle spasms
- Stomach cramps
- Fever
- Cold sweats
- In extreme cases, seizures
Treating Opioid Addiction: Ending the Pain
After you have successfully went through detox you will partake in educational classes, individual counseling, group therapy, and other forms of therapy. Our pain management education and addiction treatment programs are customized to meet your unique needs. We offer a general theme to treatment depending on what each client prefers, the following are treatment styles offered at our centers.
- 12 Step Treatment
- Holistic Treatment
- Faith-Based Treatment
- SMART Recovery
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment
- Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Program