“How Can I Finally Overcome my Pain Medication Addiction?”
For over 10 years now, on and off, I have been addicted to pain medication. I do have horrific headaches that leave me unable to function when they come on. I got addicted to the pain pills when I first began treatment and take the pills even when I don't have headache pain. I've been to several addiction programs, to no avail. I'm also afraid of not taking anything -- what do I do when one of my headaches comes on? I am so confused and so angry with myself. I do need help when the pain comes on, but I don't want this addiction cycle to continue anymore. Is there any help for someone like me?
9 Answers
Hi, There is always help! It may take an in-patient stay to detox from the medication, then an IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) that usually meets three times a week for three hours each day/evening to give you tools to stay sober. NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings are also valuable tools in maintaining sobriety. You also need to find out why you are having headaches in the first place. There may be something going on that needs to be addressed by something other than pain medication. There are many medications that can help prevent or control headaches that are not addictive and are not pain relievers. Please see your PCP or a neurologist as soon as you are able.
Yes you will be fine it in time pain addiction will go away it’s not permanent
Hello. First, please know that I am so sorry that youve been struggling with managing your headache pains for so long and no one has helped you yet. I can only imagine how horrible that must feel. Have you been to a neurologist? Has your primary care physician talked to you about options? Does anyone know what the causation is for your headaches or have they just prescribed pain medication? Of course you already know that staying on the pain medication if its opioids is not a good idea you already know that is very addictive, and can be dangerous to your overall life and health , my recommendation is that you follow through on understanding the causation of the headaches and also talk to your neurologist or primary care physician about helping you detox from that medication safely. Once you are successful in doing that, I may be able to help you an outpatient please reach out. , and again, please know that the best way is through hope and continued effort. I believe you will be successful. Thanks for reaching out. Dr. Cheryl Burke
There is help! It's med-assisted treatment. You have every reason to feel angry and confused. I encourage you not to be mad at yourself though. Your body is addicted and needs to withdraw in a safe way. Some withdraw and get sick and others have other health complications and withdrawal can result in death. Sorry, this is no longer my area of expertise. I'd recommend talking to a psychiatrist or pain management center to see your options. I have had one client that was given a different pain management drug and met with the pain management doctor monthly to talk about how to continue decreasing the amount each month and working with how it made her feel.
My recommendation is that you seek a pain management specialist who also works closely with a behavioral health professional. There are cognitive-behavioral treatments for pain; however, you will likely require the care of a physician to monitor your headaches. Medication-assisted addiction treatment may also be helpful.
Dear Asker,
I am not your doctor and the following is not medical advice. This is a very common issue for those who struggle with addiction especially to pain medications; that is to also have some sort of chronic pain. Often the pain leads to the medication use, at times leads to tolerance to the medication effect and overuse and at times leads to addiction. It would be important for any treatment program to address the pain medicine addiction with an evidence based model, including potentially use of medication-assisted treatment, therapy (both group and individual settings are appropriate). Along with such, it would also be important not to forget about the pain treatment as well. Some types of medications utilized for pain medication addiction can help with pain as well, however it may be beneficial to work with either a neurologist or pain management group who are aware of your pain medication addiction history, to adequately address pain needs with alternatives to narcotic type medications. This might include use of alternate strategies for pain management even including non-mediation options you could discuss with pain specialists (things like acupuncture for example). Lastly, it would be important to consider any potential need for mental health treatment as pain and addiction are often intertwined with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and others. A multimodal approach targeting all of these facets may prove most useful. Also consider different types of addiction treatment programs exist, they are not all created equal, and they are not one-size fits all. There is hope, and not everyone gets it on their first try. Best of luck.
I am not your doctor and the following is not medical advice. This is a very common issue for those who struggle with addiction especially to pain medications; that is to also have some sort of chronic pain. Often the pain leads to the medication use, at times leads to tolerance to the medication effect and overuse and at times leads to addiction. It would be important for any treatment program to address the pain medicine addiction with an evidence based model, including potentially use of medication-assisted treatment, therapy (both group and individual settings are appropriate). Along with such, it would also be important not to forget about the pain treatment as well. Some types of medications utilized for pain medication addiction can help with pain as well, however it may be beneficial to work with either a neurologist or pain management group who are aware of your pain medication addiction history, to adequately address pain needs with alternatives to narcotic type medications. This might include use of alternate strategies for pain management even including non-mediation options you could discuss with pain specialists (things like acupuncture for example). Lastly, it would be important to consider any potential need for mental health treatment as pain and addiction are often intertwined with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and others. A multimodal approach targeting all of these facets may prove most useful. Also consider different types of addiction treatment programs exist, they are not all created equal, and they are not one-size fits all. There is hope, and not everyone gets it on their first try. Best of luck.
Hello,
I do believe there is help for you. Not knowing where you live, look into programs or therapists such as medical family therapy. Most often they can be found in hospitals. The program/therapists work with your doctor and a program doctor to set up the best treatment for you. They take your pain and need for the medication into consideration when working with you.
I do believe there is help for you. Not knowing where you live, look into programs or therapists such as medical family therapy. Most often they can be found in hospitals. The program/therapists work with your doctor and a program doctor to set up the best treatment for you. They take your pain and need for the medication into consideration when working with you.
Hi there!
I'm so sorry this happened to you. Do they know what the cause of your headaches is? Have you had a full work-up for them? What sort of treatment have you undergone for your addiction? Detox, rehab, buprenorphine, methadone? Buprenorphine does provide relief from pain so that may be an option for you. Also, there are some powerful painkillers (such as diclofenac) that aren't addicting. Your doctor does have some weapons in his arsenal that can help you. Just sit down and talk to him or her.
Good luck!
I'm so sorry this happened to you. Do they know what the cause of your headaches is? Have you had a full work-up for them? What sort of treatment have you undergone for your addiction? Detox, rehab, buprenorphine, methadone? Buprenorphine does provide relief from pain so that may be an option for you. Also, there are some powerful painkillers (such as diclofenac) that aren't addicting. Your doctor does have some weapons in his arsenal that can help you. Just sit down and talk to him or her.
Good luck!
Here are some of the factors to consider: 1) Opioids often make headaches WORSE, so often stopping them completely will lessen your pain once you're through the pain flare-up that typically lasts 1-2 weeks after stopping these drugs. 2) It does sound as if you're taking the pain medication for euphoria (to feel good) and not just for pain. Most opioid addicts can't stop without Medication Assisted Treatment. This involves long-term maintenance treatment with methadone (at a federally licensed methadone clinic), Suboxone, or Vivitrol. 3) Most rehabs emphasize abstinence: just stopping and going to 12-step meetings. That works for alcohol or cocaine but only very rarely for opioids. Google "Medication Assisted Treatment" and look for links to SAMHSA (samhsa.gov <http://samhsa.gov/>) or the FDA (fda.gov <http://fda.gov/>) on this topic. 4) Often, emotional factors like depression or post-traumatic stress disorder help drive opioid addiction. Get therapy if you've had trauma in the past.
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