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Coping with ongoing pain can be a challenge for the individual and medical professional alike. Finding a successful treatment strategy is even more complicated for people in addiction recovery. Navigating a course which treats the pain and yet limits the likelihood of creating prescribed medication dependence may not be easy – but it is important. Unmanaged pain can intensify feelings of isolation often experienced by recovering addicts and increase the risk of relapse. It is therefore essential that a safe and effective route to pain reduction is found. Here we examine the barriers often encountered to achieving this desired outcome and ways in which these can be overcome.
Common obstacles to pain relief
The first and most significant hurdle for many recovering addicts who encounter pain is themselves. They often feel they do not deserve to have their pain treated and may believe that it is payback for their substance abuse. Reassurance is required that they are just as worthy recipients of help as any other patient. Living with chronic pain is emotionally, physically and mentally draining. This, on top of the ongoing issues often associated with rehabilitation, is not a burden anyone should have to bear.
Those who do seek help generally find that medical professionals are only too willing to treat them in a manner which meets their needs. Some recovering addicts do however encounter resistance from some practitioners who have insufficient training in respect of pain management, particularly within the context of the recovering substance abuser. They may be concerned about prescribing opiates to a recovering addict who may in turn fear becoming dependent on a new type of drug.
Developing effective pain management strategies
Taking a proactive and upfront approach to the issue is likely to produce the most effective and workable pain management strategy. The recovering addict should be open and honest about the type of pain they are experiencing, describing in detail the level and frequency of the pain as well as what makes it better and worse. They should highlight any medications they are already using and report on the effectiveness of these. Completing and maintaining a pain journal can be a very useful tool in gathering and presenting this information. This day to day record which explains where the pain is, how it feels, whether it travels and its intensity (using a scale of 0 up to 10) can underpin discussions between patient and physician.
If possible work with a doctor who specializes in pain management and who is open to alternative treatment approaches. Although it is possible and in some cases necessary for recovering addicts to use opiate pain medications, both parties may feel more comfortable employing non-opioid therapies such as reiki, massage, acupuncture and anti-inflammatory drugs. By working in partnership doctor and patient can come up with a treatment plan based on individual needs which will alleviate suffering and restore the ability to lead a fulfilling and active sober life.
Courtesy of Guest Blogger, Mel Ray
