Addiction to painkiller medicines is as serious as drug and alcohol addiction. Treatment of abuse of pain killers must focus both on the psychological and physical problems to attain optimal recovery.
According to a recent study, the number of people seeking help for painkiller abuse has increased to 300 percent between 1995 and 2005. Abusers who seek therapy from treatment centers are treated for physical dependence, mental dependence or both. Rehabilitation centers for pain killer addiction offer counseling, inpatient or outpatient drug treatment programs.
The initial step to a lifetime recovery from painkiller addiction is to recognize that you have a problem. Treatment will be easier for those who realize early that they are abusing pain relievers than those who have a longer history of drug and alcohol abuse. The longer you abuse painkillers the longer is the treatment process and the painful is the withdrawal symptoms. Whatever the case may be there is hope for painkiller abusers.
Withdrawal symptoms happen when a painkiller abuser stops taking the medication suddenly. They need help to overcome this physical and psychological dependency by seeking a physician, hospital, or counselor. They’ll be guided to the proper treatment and the best program to achieve an optimal recovery from their addiction.
Painkiller withdrawal poses a serious psychological problem and physical symptoms that include cramping, nausea, vomiting, anxiety and insomnia. These symptoms must be treated for them to be able to overcome their addiction. Once the withdrawal process is eliminated it would be easier for the abuser to let go of the addiction.
Synthetic opioids are drugs that act as pain relievers without the danger of addiction. They are used to treat painkiller addictions. Methadone, Naltrexone, Naloxone, and Buprenorphine are the common drugs that eliminate painkiller cravings and withdrawal symptoms, inhibits relapse of the abuse and counteracts the effects of pain reliever.
Rehabilitation programs depend upon the severity of painkiller abuse. It can be short-term or long-term. Some therapy centers offer inpatient program, where the patient stays in the health care facility, or outpatient program, where the patient stays at his or her home. Inpatient programs are more effective especially for patients who have develop painkiller dependency.
Treatment effectiveness relies on the motivation of the patient. This involves strong desire to overcome their addiction and the willingness to participate to the treatment programs. Family support, choice of medical providers as well as joining a support group play a significant effect to patient’s recovery.