Pain Management and Addiction Treatment in Orange County, CA
Pain Management and Addiction Treatment in Orange County, CA
Living with chronic pain can be incredibly challenging, leading to dependency on pain medications. What starts as a legitimate use of prescription medications can escalate to a substance abuse disorder. Some people also use illicit drugs or alcohol to numb chronic pain.
Addiction and Pain Management
If you or someone you love is struggling with chronic pain and addiction to painkillers or other substances, Adelante Recovery Centers can help. We offer comprehensive treatment options for people seeking addiction treatment plus chronic pain management in California.
Our Orange County treatment center near Newport Beach, CA offers medically assisted detox services and inpatient residential treatment for chronic pain and addiction, led by an outstanding team of professionals.
Adelante’s evidence-based addiction treatment programs are complemented by a range of holistic therapy options, administered by skilled wellness providers.
Learn more below about how we treat addiction and chronic pain together.
What Is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is persistent pain that lasts for weeks, months, or even years, beyond the expected period of healing. Unlike acute pain, which signals immediate harm or injury, chronic pain continues long after the initial cause has been treated or resolved.
It can stem from various conditions, such as arthritis or nerve damage, and often impacts a person’s daily activities and overall quality of life.
Living with chronic pain affects not only your physical well-being but also your emotional and mental health. It can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and depression, as the constant discomfort can be overwhelming and exhausting.
Managing chronic pain requires a comprehensive approach that combines medical treatments with physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and psychological support. People struggling with dependency to pain medications may also need opiate addiction recovery services.
The Link Between Chronic Pain and Addiction
Individuals managing chronic pain with prescription opioid medications are at a higher risk of developing addiction and physical dependence on these drugs.
Some people are especially susceptible to addictive substances, due to a combination of genetics and other factors. An estimated 3 to 19 percent of people who take prescription opioid medications will become addicted, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
As addiction worsens, some people switch to street illicit drugs like heroin out of desperation when they can no longer get their prescription drugs or can’t get enough to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms. Nearly half (45%) of heroin users started with an addiction to prescription medications, according to the AMA.
Signs of Addiction in Someone with Chronic Pain
A person with chronic pain who is addicted to painkillers or other substances may show the following signs:
- Increased tolerance: Needing higher doses of medication to achieve the same level of pain relief.
- Preoccupation with medication: Obsessively thinking about the next dose and feeling anxious or distressed when the medication is not available.
- Withdrawal symptoms: Experiencing symptoms such as nausea, sweating, and irritability when the medication is not taken.
- Doctor shopping: Visiting multiple doctors to obtain more prescriptions or stronger medications.
- Loss of control: Taking medication more frequently or in larger amounts than prescribed.
- Neglecting responsibilities: Ignoring work, social, or family obligations due to drug use.
- Continued use despite harm: Persisting in taking medications or illicit substances even when it causes physical, emotional, or social problems.
Treating Addiction in Chronic Pain Patients
Treating pain and addiction is a complex process, but with the right treatment plan you can overcome addiction and manage chronic pain.
The experienced team at our addiction treatment center near Newport Beach, CA, includes a pain management physician who understands the complexities of treating substance use disorders and chronic pain together.
We take a comprehensive approach to treatment that combines evidence-based medicine with holistic therapies. Our team will come up with a personalized plan that includes the best pain management solution for you.
For patients struggling with opioid addiction, our team may recommend medication-assisted treatment with FDA-approved medications to help manage withdrawal symptoms and block the euphoric effects of opioids, such as methadone, buprenorphine (Subutex), or naltrexone.
It’s important to know that these medications do not substitute one addiction for another. That’s because the dosages prescribed do not produce a high, but rather help reduce opioid cravings. It’s why these medications are considered the gold standard of treatment for opioid use disorder.
Alternatives for Treating Chronic Pain
Depending on your needs and preferences, we may use medications in combination with other therapies to address both chronic pain and addiction. These may include:
- Anticonvulsants: Medications such as pregabalin (Lyrica) and gabapentin (Gralise) can treat certain types of pain, such as nerve pain, without a high risk of addiction.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are effective at treating pain caused by a wide range of conditions, from headaches to joint pain. Acetaminophen is an alternative for those who can’t tolerate NSAIDs.
- Behavioral therapies: Our treatment team uses evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and others.
- Massage therapy: Massage can help reduce pain and relieve problems associated with muscle tension, such as tension headaches. By improving circulation and squeezing out inflammation-causing cells from muscle tissue, research shows that massage can also speed healing from injuries.
- Psychological acupressure (tapping): This alternative treatment for physical pain and emotional distress is helpful for some people in relieving anxiety and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Alternative Solutions for Managing Chronic Pain
- Yoga, meditation, and breathwork: These therapies have a wide range of physical and psychological benefits. Practicing yoga enhances your flexibility, strength, and balance, and can reduce joint pain. Meditation helps you achieve mental clarity and emotional calm, reducing stress and anxiety. Breathwork helps regulate your nervous system, promoting relaxation.
- Sound healing: This calming therapy can reduce stress by using soothing sounds to calm the mind and enhance mental clarity and emotional balance.
- Chiropractic care: By realigning the spine and reducing pressure on nerves, chiropractic care may help alleviate chronic back pain and improve body function.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture stimulates specific pain points on the body and may help address pain by releasing natural pain-relieving chemicals and improving blood flow.
- Physical therapy: Through movement retraining, physical therapy may help reduce chronic pain and improve mobility. Coupled with behavioral treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy, physical therapy can lead to better pain management.
Comprehensive Pain Management Solutions in Newport Beach, CA
Our team will help you manage pain without addictive substances. We will work closely with you to find the best combination of pain management treatments. If there’s a specific treatment you need that we don’t provide at our recovery center in Southern California, we will refer you to a reputable local treatment provider near Newport Beach.
Personalized Treatment for Pain and Addiction
Treating substance use and chronic pain requires experience and training. Our team offers comprehensive treatment for chronic pain management. We teach clients how to manage pain without substance abuse.
No two people respond to individual treatments in exactly the same way. For example, one person may do very well with a combination of ibuprofen for pain, yoga and meditation for anxiety, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to reframe negative thoughts. Meanwhile, someone else may not find this specific regimen helpful.
The key is to find the right combination of treatments and therapies, and that’s where our team shines. We will work closely with you to learn about your needs and goals, considering your health history and other factors.
Get Help Today
Addiction recovery from substance use is possible with the right help. Adelante’s substance abuse programs near Newport Beach offer the comprehensive care you or your loved one needs to live well without addiction to pain medications.
Contact us to learn more and set up a tour of our beautiful treatment center near Newport Beach in Orange County. Call (949) 427-9099 to speak with an addiction treatment admissions counselor today.
We want to help. Contact us today.
If you or a loved one are in need of help with addiction, contact us today. Our professional and friendly addiction specialists are able to answer your questions and get things moving in the right direction.
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