The majority of people start out using prescription opioids for perfectly legal, legitimate reasons. These medications, which include oxycodone (Oxycontin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, and morphine, are effective painkillers and can relax the body. They are safe when taken for a short time, but can easily become addictive. Doctors prescribe opioids for a variety of ailments, including both acute and chronic pain. Acute pain may be severe, but it is short-term. For instance, you might take opioid after an accident or surgery, but only for less than a week before you taper off to less powerful painkillers. Chronic pain is a lifelong struggle that can be brought on by something like arthritis or a severe back injury. Unfortunately, after just five days of prescription opioid use, the likelihood that you’ll develop a long-term dependence on these drugs rises steeply, making them undesirable for chronic pain.
There is a persistent, widespread belief that managing chronic pain is impossible without opioids. Many patients go to the doctor and ask for painkillers without even considering other options. However, there is another option. Most people will benefit more from a type of pain clinic called an interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation program. They admit the same kinds of chronic pain patients and, instead of continuing the use of opioid painkillers, they taper patients off these drugs while teaching them how to successfully self-manage pain.
Here are some alternatives to opioid pain management:
- Steroids, such as cortisone injections used to relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis in the joints by reducing inflammation
- Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), which are over the counter pain medications like ibuprofen and aspirin. These are non-habit forming but can have unpleasant side effects after long-term use, such as liver or stomach problems.
- Acetaminophen, or Tylenol. Not as effective in treating inflammatory issues like back or knee pain, but it is useful in relieving headache pain while not upsetting the stomach.
- Physical therapy
- Gentle exercises like yoga, tai chi, walking, and swimming
- Alternative therapies like acupuncture, acupressure, and spinal manipulation
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses more on the mental aspects of pain, including fear, avoidance, distress, and anxiety. CBT teaches patients to be active, teaches relaxation techniques and coping strategies, and often includes support groups, professional counseling, or other self-help programs.
- Certain antidepressants, like Tricyclics (TCAs) and Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) can treat migraines and neuropathic pain such as diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia or fibromyalgia.
- Topical agents for localized pain, such as lidocaine, Capsaicin, and topical NSAIDs
- Multidisciplinary therapies combining exercise with psychologically-based approaches
The 2016 Centers for Disease Control Guidelines suggest recommending the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain with physical therapy, non-narcotic medications, stress management, lifestyle adjustments, and surgical procedures.
If you or a loved one need help to quit drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504.