A lot of medications used to treat pain and ADHD are habit-forming and have the potential for substance abuse. How can discomfort due to injuries and pain be managed without increasing the risk of relapsing?
Pain management and care is the most common reason people seek medical attention. For people in recovery, the risk of relapsing as a result of commonly prescribed pain medications is exorbitant.
Fortunately, there are practices and alternative options to try instead of widely used pain medications. Medicines used for pain management are not the same as medications used to treat mental health disorders or assist people with addiction recovery (medication-assisted treatment).
Diagnosing pain:
To correctly manage pain, it is essential to know where the pain is stemming from and accurately diagnose it.
- Is the pain centralized in a particular system? Nerve or neurological, muscular, or inflammatory?
- Assess all illnesses and disorders before medication or treatment is provided
- Is the pain acute or chronic?
- Acute pain is usually due to an illness or injury and only lasts a few days to a few weeks at most.
- Chronic pain is more of a debilitating condition, taking longer to heal and lasting roughly several weeks. Addiction and chronic pain are intimately connected.
- Have one primary physician overseeing all medications and treatments.
- Use one pharmacy to have prescriptions filled to eliminate potential drug interactions.
- Shorten the frequency and amount of drugs dispensed at one time.
Alternative Practices to pain management
Holistic options:
- Supplements and herbs
- Massage or reflexology
- Meditation and mindfulness practice
- Physical therapy
- Counseling
- Yoga
- Chiropractic care
- Acupuncture and dry needling
Self-care practices:
- Proper nutrition and suggested daily water intake
- Sleep
- Participation in meaningful activities that provide purpose
- Relaxation techniques
- Support groups, social networks, and community
At Alta Loma Transformational Living, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. Alta Loma uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, where you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan.
We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 866-457-3843.
