Chronic pain can increase the risk of addiction when people turn to certain medications to manage their discomfort. Opioids, which are commonly prescribed for pain, can become highly addictive because of the potent pain-relieving impact they can have on the body. As people begin to experience the relief these certain medications can bring, their bodies crave more, which can lead to addiction. We are going to explore the link between chronic pain and addiction to better understand the connection, as well as share alternative pain management methods that don’t include potentially addictive substances.
What is Chronic Pain?
Pain begins in receptor nerve cells beneath the skin and in organs throughout the body. Receptors send messages to the brain to signify pain. While some pain is temporary, others are not.
If you are experiencing chronic pain, you are having pain that lasts for over three months.[1] This pain may not be consistent, as it can come and go, and can happen anywhere throughout the body. Chronic pain can interrupt daily responsibilities and lead to depression and anxiety.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 20% of Americans suffer from chronic pain.[2] Chronic pain can cover a wide variety of issues, such as:
- Arthritis
- Head, Back, and Neck Pain
- Insomnia
- Joint Pain
Chronic pain can also be a result of an injury, surgery, cancer, or other illnesses.
The Link Between Chronic Pain and Addiction
Chronic pain can lead to addiction as people turn to these substances to cope with their discomfort. Since the pain persists, people can continuously use them, which can lead to an addiction.
Opioids are often used to treat chronic pain. These include medications such as:[3]
- Vicodin
- Oxycontin
- Percocet
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
These drugs are habit-forming because of the way they interact with the brain. Opioids bind to and activate opioid receptors that are located throughout the brain, spinal cord, and other organs.[3] As opioids attach to these receptors, they block pain signals that the brain sends to the body. They also release large amounts of dopamine throughout the body. This process tells the brain that you feel good and helps you forget about the pain briefly.[4] When the opioid dose wears off, the pain returns, which can make a person want more of the drug as soon as possible to feel good again. Over time, the body can form a tolerance, requiring more of the drug to achieve the same effect. This is what can lead to addiction.
While the use of opioids can begin through receiving the drug by prescription, it can also lead people to seek out the substance in illegal and dangerous ways. Seeking illegal substances for pain management can not only increase the risk of addiction but can also lead to using other substances unknowingly. Many street drugs are laced with other substances, such as fentanyl, which can lead to dangerous and deadly consequences.
Another noteworthy point to mention about pain relief medications, such as opioids, is that these same medications can lead to more pain. This is a condition called opioid-induced hyperalgesia.[5] This can happen when someone is taking very high or escalating doses of opioids. Many patients need to be weaned off slowly or switched to a different class of drugs to manage their pain.
Chronic Pain and Addiction: Dangers of Opioid Addiction
Although opioids can provide relief when taken as prescribed, they can also have harmful effects such as:[3]
- Nausea
- Slowed Breathing
- Coma
- Brain Damage
- Reduced Heart Rate
People can also overdose on prescription opioids. An opioid overdose occurs when someone takes enough of the drug, which leads to life-threatening conditions, such as slowed breathing.
Misusing opioids can lead to other health effects, such as impaired judgment, which can lead to impaired driving, violence, and unprotected sex. It can also lead to illness if people are sharing drug paraphernalia.
People who become physically dependent on opioids can experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug. These unpleasant symptoms include cravings, diarrhea, vomiting, and agitation, among others.
Alternative Methods for Chronic Pain Management
To avoid the risk of addiction to chronic pain medications, many patients seek alternative pain relief methods.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy from a licensed and trained therapist can help to improve function and decrease pain.[6] A therapist may be able to develop a program that will help you feel better without taking medications. This can include the use of deep-tissue massage and whirlpools.
Injections or Nerve Blocks
Your healthcare provider may recommend injections with a local anesthetic or other medications to help short-circuit your pain.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients modify negative thought patterns that can make pain seem worse than it is. This allows people to better cope with their pain and improve their quality of life.
Natural Remedies
Some people manage pain successfully by using natural remedies such as turmeric. Turmeric contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties. [7] Capsaicin, found in chili peppers, is known to desensitize nerve receptors and relieve pain. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before using any natural remedies for pain relief.
Non-Opioid Treatments
Topical and oral NSAIDs are often given, as well as capsaicin and lidocaine patches. These remedies can provide relief without the threat of possible addiction. Your doctor can advise if these are options for the type of pain you are experiencing.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Ice can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation, while heat reduces muscle pain and stiffness. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider as to which remedy to try because using too much heat can lead to swelling and inflammation.[8]
Mind-Body Practices
Mind-body practices such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can also help relieve pain. These practices help focus the mind’s ability to influence how the body perceives pain. Meditation involves focusing on the present moment with deep breathing to reduce stress and pain. Yoga can help improve flexibility and strength, which can also reduce pain.
Acupuncture
Some patients find pain relief when they turn to acupuncture. This involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to alleviate pain.
Seek Help for Addiction at Ocean Hills Recovery
If you or a loved one has become addicted to prescription painkillers, the team at Ocean Hills Recovery can help. We provide drug addiction treatment plans that are tailored to the individual. This allows us to focus on the tactics that work for each specific person.
Many patients must first go through a medically supervised detox plan to rid their body of any substances. From there, patients can begin their treatment programs, including different therapeutic approaches and an aftercare plan. Our residential treatment program can provide the continuous treatment that patients need to learn how to live without being addicted to prescription painkillers and other substances.
Contact Ocean Hills Recovery today to learn more about our drug treatment programs available in the serene settings of Dana Point & San Juan Capistrano, California.
Sources:
[1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4798-chronic-pain
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6736a2.htm
[3] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioids
[4] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/how-opioid-addiction-occurs/art-20360372
[5] https://www.painphysicianjournal.com/current/pdf?article=MTQ0Ng%3D%3D&journal=60
[6] https://madeforthismoment.asahq.org/pain-management/non-opioid-treatment/
[7] https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis-natural-treatments
[8] https://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/non-opioid-pain-management/_documents/alternatives-facts-11×17-eng.pdf
About the author:
As CEO of Ocean Hills Recovery, Robert Leigh brings forth an immense passion for helping those suffering create change in their lives. With years of experience in the addiction treatment industry, Robert’s active role at Ocean Hills helps integrate his philosophy that addiction and recovery is a personalized journey, and addiction treatment should echo the same mission. Robert’s innovation in the addiction treatment industry has involved integrating exceptional and effective treatment to those that walk into the doors of Ocean Hills, creating a truly unique and individualized treatment program – ensuring that individuals have the foundation and tools they need to live successful lives long after treatment has been completed.
