Undergoing treatment for chronic pain is a hard enough event to survive with the rising cost of health care services and medications. But there is a more sinister problem lurking in the corners just when you thought that you have survived chronic pain attacks. If you have been taking painkillers for a long time, you may find yourself suffering from painkiller addiction.
You survived chronic pain – there is no reason you cannot survive painkiller addiction. With these self-help techniques, you can let go of your painkillers with minimal withdrawal syndrome and fuss:
1.Learn to recognize the symptoms of painkiller addiction.
The first step to treating and surviving painkiller addiction is to know its signs and symptoms. A telltale sign of addiction to painkillers is taking pain medication when you know full well that you are going over the required dosage or the prescribed treatment period. Take note of anxiety coinciding with low painkiller supply and a clammy, nauseous feeling when you do not take your daily dose. This means that your body has become accustomed to the presence of painkillers in your system that it is tricked into thinking that something is wrong in the drug's absence. Keep your eyes open for these symptoms and avoid making excuses for yourself.
2.Talk to your doctor.
As difficult as it is to admit to your doctor that you have been using painkillers inappropriately – overdosing, going beyond prescribed treatment period, taking them at improper intervals – you really need to talk to him. Admit your past activities and ask for help and advice in surviving painkiller addiction. With his help, you can develop a painkiller addiction management plan. He can also give you advice to prevent relapse. It is also a good idea to visit your doctor regularly so he can monitor your progress.
3.Taper off your intake of painkillers.
This is best started before the actual end of the prescribed treatment period. Tapering your medicine intake means gradually lessening the dosage of the drugs you take. By letting your body get accustomed to gradually lower dosages makes it easier to stop taking the medicines when it is time to quit. However, you can still taper your painkiller intake even if you are already suffering from addiction. Instead of taking pain medications daily, try taking it on alternate days. You can also ask your doctor for healthier substitutes that can produce the same painkiller effect.
4.Manage withdrawal symptoms.
The severity of withdrawal symptoms caused by quitting painkillers is enough to make anyone pop a pill. Extreme discomfort, diarrhea, restlessness, cramping, and craving are among the most commonly experienced withdrawal symptoms. Distraction techniques like playing, watching TV, reading, and listening to music can help stave off the craving, discomfort, and restlessness. Taking medication for diarrhea and using hot compresses on cramps can also help alleviate these symptoms.
5.Detoxify your system.
Unknown to most who suffer from addiction, traces of painkillers in the body prolong the addiction and make quitting harder. Detoxification entails that you remove all traces of painkillers from your body. While wellness and health centers offer detoxification services, you can detoxify yourself right in your own home. Drinking water, teas, and fruit juices can help you achieve this. Sweating, through exercise, is also a good detoxification method.
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