Quitting Pain Pills – A How-To Guide

You, like many people, may have begun taking pain pills to address a knee injury or aching back. Initially, there was no cause for concern. The pain was reduced and your daily activities could commence as per usual. Why worry? After all, the medication you take is prescribed by a licensed physician – How bad could it be? Unfortunately, these substances carry a high risk of dependency with long-term use. If your pain medication use seems to have spiraled out of control, it’s important you seek help as quickly as possible.

Instructions

1 – Discuss your concerns with the doctor. Avoid catering to any feelings of embarrassment of guilt. With your physician’s help, organize a plan of action. The intensity and length of your withdrawal will ultimately depend on the  amount of time you have been taking the medication.

2 – Enroll in a drug addiction detox program. Any attempt to stop taking the medication abruptly – without proper care – could result in a variety of symptoms, including seizures, tremors, anxiety, sleeplessness, depression and suicidal thoughts.

3 – Make a commitment to at least 7 – 10 days of medically monitored detox. Once you’re admitted to the facility, an addiction counselor will guide you through a thorough exam to inspect your vital signs and obtain a basic idea of how long you will need to remove the drugs from your system.

4 – Communication is key. Be sure to keep a log of any symptoms you experience, and provide them to your doctors and counselors. Typical symptoms include mood swings, anxiety, sadness, aches and fatigue. If these symptoms begin to escalate, you must inform your physicians immediately.

5 – Locate a local area Narcotics Anonymous (NA) treatment program and begin attending meetings on a daily basis. Addiction recovery is a life-long struggle, and you’ll need all the support you can get.

6 – Once you’ve detoxed, you may be left with pain from the prior condition. Seek out a pain management specialist who can provide nonnarcotic medication and treatments such as hydrotherapy, acupuncture, acupressure and occupational therapy.

Oxycodone vs. OxyContin

OxyContin and Oxycodone are two substances derived from the drug opium. Each medication is commonly used to address moderate to severe pain and can be utilized in an array of situations, such as after an extensive dental procedure. Though there are many similarities between these two substances, this entry will discuss the differences.

How Do They Work?

Oxycodone is known as a fast-acting pain medication that is utilized to address breakthrough pain – or pain so extreme that the individual requires hasty relief. Oxycodone manipulates the brain’s pain receptors to block the experience for a period of time. OxyContin is essentially Oxycodone with additional substances mixed in to provide an elongated release period while ensuring a more comfortable and sustainable period of relief.

Effect & Duration

- OxyContin offers relief for a period of 12 hours.

- Oxycodone offers relief for a period of 4 – 6 hours.

When To Take It

Due to their addictive properties, both OxyContin and Oxycodone should never be taken more often than directed. Long term use should always be avoided. When in doubt, patients should discuss concerns with their primary physician.

Side Effects

Of the two, Oxycodone is the more addictive substance. Due to its fast-acting release, the drug should never be mixed with alcohol or in a higher dose than recommended by the physician who prescribed it. Common side effects include fainting, dizziness, rapid or slow heartbeats, breathing issues and nausea.

Questions?

If you or someone you love is dealing with an addiction to pain pills, our California drug rehab center is the place to call. Pick up the phone today and let our team of addiction specialists help you back on track towards the healthy, happy, and sober life you deserve.

Kicking The Habit – Pain Pills

Many people begin taking pain pills to address an aching back or in response to a recent surgery. Initially, everything was pretty wonderful. The pain was gone, your social life was on the upswing, and your mood was directed towards the positive side of life. There was no need to worry, because after all… these drugs were prescribed by a licensed physician; “What harm could they do?”

“Faith is taking the first step even when
you can't see the whole staircase.” Martin Luther King Jr.

The truth is, these types of medications can do a lot of damage. If your prescription pain medication use can gotten away from you, it may be time to consider seeking out a prescription drug treatment program.

Steps

1 – Discuss your concerns with your physician. Once your doctor is aware of the issue, a plan can be drawn up to get you the help you require. The intensity, length, and symptoms associated with your withdrawal will be determined by the amount of time you have been using.

2 – Contact our substance abuse rehabilitation facility for information on detoxification. Users who decide to halt their intake abruptly place themselves at risk for an array of issues, including anxiety, depression, intense drowsiness, seizures, tremors, and suicidal thoughts. By calling Above It All, you can rest easy with the knowledge that you will experience a comfortable, safe, and medically monitored detoxification.

3 – Make a commitment to yourself to undergo at least a week of detox. The length of detox will ultimately depend on your use history and personal investment into the program.

4 – Communication is key. Make certain to communicate any and all of your symptoms to the acting physicians. Though it’s common for patients to feel sad, achy, tired or anxious, other symptoms – such as blackouts, seizures or hallucinations – should be communicated immediately.

5 – Stay positive. It can be easy to let yourself sink during the detoxification process. The key to a successful outcome during this difficult time is a healthy dose of drive, determination, and self-confidence. Know this: You CAN do it. You WILL be fine.