How to Manage Pain With an Opioid Use Disorder
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a serious, life-threatening condition. It often starts with the use of these highly potent painkillers to help those with serious injuries or diseases manage their pain. But at some point, the use of the substance becomes more powerful than the pain itself, and the continued use of it can lead to substance use disorders (SUD).
But pain is real. It happens and needs management. Even as you work through OUD, you’ll need strategies to manage pain that are real-world effective. That means helping you get sleep, move through the day, work, and get through your responsibilities. There’s hope.
If you are looking for immediate help for OUD, reach out to Victory Addiction Recovery Center. Our team will help you get into treatment to resolve your physical and emotional challenges so you can live a truly pain-free life. For many, this starts with our opioid addiction detox program in Lafayette.
The Reality of Opioid Addiction
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that, in 2023, 125 million opioid prescriptions were written across the country. These include drugs such as:
- Methadone
- Oxycodone
- Hydrocodone
- Morphine
- Codeine
In most cases, people do not and should not take these medications for more than seven days and often for as little as three days. Because they carry such a high risk for the development of dependency, using the least amount possible matters.
That year, 8.6 million Americans over the age of 12 reported misusing prescription opioids in the previous year. Perhaps you were one of them. Over time, you used the substance because you needed it to calm the pain and help you get through the day. You cannot imagine being without the pain medications you rely on.
Though it is very much possible that you have a serious injury or disease that causes critical and challenging pain, most people can find alternative solutions for pain management. If your doctor tells you to remain on opioids, do so.
How to Manage Real Pain Without Opioids
No longer using opioids is a big commitment to transforming your life and wellbeing. If you’re actively using a prescription, work with the prescribing doctor to adjust medication access to slowly reduce risks. However, you may be able to find relief in other nonopioid therapies for pain management.
Medications for Managing Pain
One of the ways to manage pain without opioids is to transition to other, non-habit-forming pain medications and treatments. Various dosing and forms of these drugs exist that may be applicable to providing you with real relief:
- Topical applications or oral NSIADs
- Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants
- Acetaminophen
- Capsaicin and lidocaine patches
- Anticonvulsants like gabapentin and pregabalin
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor antidepressants
Your doctor will help you consider these prescription and non-prescription forms to determine which is most suitable for your well-being.
Exercise Therapy
Many people with chronic pain suffer from damaged muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. Over time, the use of opioids can dull those sensations, creating significant limitations on movement. Exercise can help with pain management in some situations.
If your doctor believes it is safe for you to do so, consider:
- Aerobic exercise to burn stress and pain hormones in the bloodstream
- Aquatic exercise that does not increase pressure on the body’s joints but allows for improved mobility
- Resistance exercise to work to build core muscles and movement
- Exercise therapy, which is done with the help of a physical therapist, to rebuild the way your body moves
In these situations, people often see benefits such as weight loss and a reduction in inflammation. This can lead to lowered pain levels.
Other Strategies for Pain Relief
Numerous other nonpharmacological pain treatment options may be used alone or in conjunction with other strategies to reduce your pain. Examples include:
- Yoga, tai chi, and qigong, all mind-body practices that allow you to work through pain
- Psychological therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction, which can limit stress-related or inflamed pain
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Spinal manipulation, such as in chiropractic care
In each of these situations, you’ll encourage your body to function the way it should, stimulating nerves, building muscle mass, and reducing inflammation. This often translates into lowered pain and a better quality of life.
Getting Help for Opioids Can Be Life Changing
Opioid addiction treatment can change your future. It’s important to be clear. For some, misuse of opioids occurs because the brain believes your pain is so intense that nothing else will work. That’s rarely the case. Other therapies can help you to recover from your pain instead of fighting for the next pill. Your pain is real, but it doesn’t have to stick around.
Reach out to Victory Addiction Recovery Centers for a conversation about opioid use disorder. Let us help you determine how we can help you get care. Contact us now.