Chronic Pain, Addiction and Recovery

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2006, 56% of people age 20 and older reported pain that lasted more than 3 months. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported in 2008 that 19% of people age 12 and older reported that they initiated illegal drug use with pain killers.  A 2005 study showed that 32% of chronic pain patients may have addictive disorders.

The intertwining of symptoms of chronic pain and substance abuse disorder are sometimes hard to separate.

Both can create physical, social, emotional, and economic effects.  People who have chronic pain, substance abuse disorder or both may have similar symptoms including insomnia, depression, and impaired functioning.

Treating the addiction by decreasing or discontinuing the substance can be frightening and overwhelming to someone who is suffering chronic pain, where their expectation is that their pain will worsen.  Many people with chronic pain have used increasing amounts of pain killers to receive the same amount of pain relief and believe that more pain killers are the only way to deal with their discomfort.

What is not often understood is that opioid pain killers can cause a condition called hyperalgesia that causes people to have an enhanced sensitivity to pain.  In other words, their attempt to control their pain can make them increase their feelings of pain, and their attempt to find relief with more pain killers becomes a way of trapping them with more pain. When pain killers are discontinued, in addition to the increased pain that is due to the hyperalgesia created by the pain killers, withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, nausea and cramps are triggered.

Ongoing pain stresses the body and leads to feelings of exhaustion and can cause sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression, which create more pain.  Studies have shown that depression can decrease the results of pain treatment and that outcomes of treatment for pain can be predicted, to some extent, by emotional status.

For someone with chronic pain who has been treated long-term with opioids, it is especially important that they understand how opioids have added to their pain and the importance of breaking the cycle.  Under medical care, non-opioid options can be used to help alleviate the pain and decrease the discomfort of withdrawal.

Despite the common belief that opioids are the best option for pain relief, studies show that non-opioid pharmacological options including acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) as well as some medications originally developed for other purposes such as some antidepressants and some anticonvulsants can offer pain relief without the rebound pain opioids cause and without the addictive properties.  Complementary and alternative therapies such as chiropractic, massage, and acupuncture can often also help someone with chronic pain.

Studies of 18-months or more,  show that patients who are on long-term opioid therapy, rarely show more than a one-third reduction in pain.  This clearly shows that other treatment options should be considered.

For those in substance abuse recovery who have chronic pain, non-opioid analgesics are the preferred treatment.  Counseling has shown to help as has exercise or physical therapy to work toward improved function and decreased pain.  Opioid treatment should only be used as a last option, under close supervision, and for the shortest time possible, for example immediately following surgery.

Chronic pain and addiction can be treated.

Working with treatment specialists who understand both conditions is important. Gulf Breeze Recovery has trained medical staff and a trained clinical team who work together to holistically care for the entire individual and their specialized needs.  They understand the complexity of chronic pain and addiction as well as how treatment for chronic pain can put recovery at risk.

Gulf Breeze Recovery strives to offer the best and most comprehensive alcohol and substance abuse treatment options in the country, with plans of treatment tailored to fit individual needs, including those suffering from chronic pain.  Our professional and medical staff are available today to meet all your needs for high-quality substance abuse treatment.

If you or someone you care about, has an ongoing history of chronic pain that is complicated by alcohol or substance use and/or relapse, contact Gulf Breeze Recovery or call: 833.551.2356 to speak to an addiction expert to learn more about their residential program, out-patient program, and intensive out-patient program, and which of these can best fit your individual needs.  These programs have helped many people overcome their addiction and embrace their new happy, healthy, substance-free lifestyle.

We help people not just to survive, but to THRIVE!