Over the past couple of decades, the United States has had to deal with a veritable opioid crisis. Many individuals have become addicted to pain medication, and some have died. Others have battled back against their addictions and won, but many more are still in the grip of this epidemic.
Some individuals who started using prescription pain medication have graduated to using fentanyl they buy on the streets. Rehab for fentanyl addiction is available, and if you know someone dealing with this issue, that might be the best solution for them.
Although this all sounds like bleak news, it would be wrong to completely demonize prescription painkillers. They still have legitimate medical uses, and some people need them to deal with their pain. They can also learn how to use them safely. We’ll talk about what that looks like right now.
Get a Finite Prescribed Amount From a Doctor
First, you need to make sure that if you’re using powerful prescription pain medication, you have a legitimate medical reason for it. For instance, you might need these sorts of drugs if you’re recovering from major surgery or you sustained a catastrophic injury.
If a legitimate medical doctor prescribes these drugs to you, they will doubtless warn you about how addictive they are. You should heed those warnings. The doctor should also be responsible enough to only give you a finite amount. Once that prescription is gone, it’s gone, and you must manage any lingering pain in other ways.
Tell Your Family if You Think You’re Becoming Addicted
If you’ve gone through a prescription of pain medication and you’re feeling symptoms of withdrawal, that is a sure sign that you’re addicted or in danger of becoming so. If you’re having those feelings, make sure to tell your family about it.
Addicts usually try to deal with their problems in secret. If you tell your family and your doctor that you’re an addict or you’re having feelings of addiction or dependence on pain medication, you will immediately have a team that’s supporting you. You won’t have to suffer through your dependence on your own.
Talk to Pain Management Specialists
There are medical professionals who help those who are dealing with a chronic pain issue. They may have some suggestions as to what you might do to get through your days with chronic pain. You don’t have to submit to a dependence on pain medication or an addiction to it.
Often, there is another factor that goes along with addiction aside from chronic pain. The problem might start there, but those who get into this situation may also have a genetic proclivity toward addiction. They might also have psychological issues that are contributing to them wanting to dull the pain that comes from what they’re feeling.
If you understand this, you’ll know recovering from addiction doesn’t always mean simply dealing with your physical pain. The recovery process might also involve getting to a healthier place in terms of your mental and psychological state.
