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Opioid Epidemic: Freedom From Pain or Death Sentence?

Opioid addiction treatment is critical now since according to the CDC overdoses are now killing more Americans than car crashes. Opioid abuse, heroin addiction and overdose deaths now exceed all other drug overdose deaths. The dramatic increase in opioid prescriptions, specifically for chronic pain, has skyrocketed. From 1997 to 2007, the milligram-per-person use of prescription opioids in the U.S. increased from 74 milligrams to 369 milligrams, an increase of 402%.

Many of these prescriptions have been given for chronic pain. However, the individuals that they’ve been given to may not even be obtaining significant benefit from opioids used to treat their condition. These individuals are quite likely to become addicted and that addiction exacerbates the problem that the drug was first prescribed for, in addition to creating another health crisis. In fact, it’s been noted that long-term treatment with opioids may actually induce an increase in pain sensitivity.

So if Opioids are horribly addictive, even deadly, and they can actually increase pain in some users, shouldn’t we be looking for some other alternatives? Drug rehab is the answer.

Pain management through suboxone detox and even methadone treatment may be the answer for some people. For long term treatment there are a number of alternatives being offered including, diet, exercise, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, nerve blocks, and so on. In addition to managing withdrawal symptoms is to work with the actual problem, and solve the source of the pain, rather than just medicate the symptoms.

Opioid Addiction Treatment

All of these alternatives take a bit more time, education, and effort. It’s not as easy as taking a pill. Our society is conditioned to reach for a pill when we have a symptom. When we take a pill for every symptom, we deny the messages our bodies are trying to tell us. Perhaps having the pain, following it to the root, and discovering its cause is far more beneficial in the long run.

If you or a loved one is suffering from fentanyl addiction or any other opioid, please reach out to us today. There are counselors at the ready to assist you. Freedom is possible.