According to Centers for Disease Control data, an estimated 20.4 percent of Americans live with chronic pain. Until relatively recently, opioids were the go-to drugs for doctors to prescribe their patients who needed pain management solutions; however, now that the facts about the risk of addiction with these medications have become a nationwide focus, many people are understandably wary about taking them. Nobody should have to live with chronic pain. What are your options for treating pain without relying on these addictive medications?
What Makes Opioids So Dangerous?
By this point, the news coverage of America’s opioid epidemic has made most adults aware of the extent of the problem. These headlines are far from being sensationalized; it’s impossible to overstate how risky continued opioid use is.
While they have undoubtedly served a useful purpose in relieving pain for millions of people, opioids are intensely addictive and exceedingly overprescribed – a combination that has had deadly consequences. Over the past several years, an average of 130 Americans have died daily from accidental opioid overdose.
Opioid-Free Ways to Manage Chronic Pain
If you’re living with pain, but concerned that you might succumb to an opioid addiction, don’t lose hope. There are several alternatives to taking opioid medications to keep your pain levels tolerable. Some are medication-based, while others are not. Open, honest communication with your doctor is at the heart of dealing with pain without exposing yourself to the risks associated with using opioids.
If you can clearly articulate the type and intensity of the pain you are experiencing, as well as the activities that make it feel worse, your doctor should be able to recommend alternative ways to manage it. Take an active role in your healing, and remember, nobody is a better advocate for your needs than you are.
Non-Opioid Pain Medicines to Try
A wide variety of medications have helped thousands of people manage their chronic pain successfully, and many of these drugs are even available without a prescription. Instead of going straight into oxycodone or hydrocodone for pain management, consider starting with non-opioid medication options. A few of these names may already sound familiar to you. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) and NSAIDs (like Motrin, Advil and aspirin) prevent inflammation and soothe everything from migraines to arthritis.
Ideas for Managing Chronic Pain Without Medication
Often, it’s possible to center your pain treatment plan on drug-free solutions such as exercise therapy. You have many options depending on your condition and preferences, such as swimming, cardio and yoga. Even 30 minutes of exercise at a moderate rate can improve your mood, correct imperfections in posture and balance that contribute to musculoskeletal discomfort and serve as a preventive measure against illness. It also strengthens your bones, muscles and immune system.
Many people find the most significant hurdle associated with their pain is the distress that comes along with it, hindering their ability to participate in activities they once enjoyed. By addressing the psychological aspect of your health through individual or group therapy, you can learn how to remain calm in the face of stress and anxiety in your daily life. Counseling will provide you with a sense of peace and reduce your sense of hopelessness.
Opioid Detox in the Inland Empire
If you’re struggling with chronic pain, opioids don’t have to be your only solution. Likewise, committing to sobriety doesn’t mean you will suffer without the presence of these powerful drugs in your life. It’s entirely possible to find relief in other forms of pain management.
If you are living with an opioid addiction, let Inland Detox provide the treatment you need to kick these dangerous drugs and transition seamlessly into your next stages of treatment. To learn more or verify our insurance coverage, speak with one of our caring admissions specialists by calling 855-383-1624 anytime, or reach us online. We’re always here to help.