Painkillers are a diverse group of medications designed to ease various degrees and types of pain. Over-the-counter versions of these medications pose no real risks for substance addiction. However, many prescription painkillers are opioids and therefore have a clear addiction risk. Millions of Americans face problems each year due to using these prescription medications. If that’s true for you or your loved one, you may need a painkiller rehab program. This kind of program provides excellent support for recovery from opioid problems.
For painkiller treatment that maximizes your recovery support, turn to specialists at The Right Step. We feature comprehensive services that help you stop using these medications in a safe, secure setting. We also provide the targeted assistance you need to steer clear of painkiller problems in the future.
The Basics of Opioid Painkillers
Across America, opioid painkillers are a common option for treating moderate to severe pain. Your doctor may recommend this kind of medication as a first option for your symptoms. However, you may not receive an opioid unless other painkilling options fail to work as intended.
Opioid painkillers work by attaching to certain sites found in the human nervous system. These sites are commonly known as opioid receptors. When activated, those receptors allow painkillers to reach your brain. There, the medications:
- Slow down your nerve activity
- Ease pain by disrupting signals sent from your body
- Create a powerful form of pleasure called euphoria
These effects account for the upside and downsides of using opioids. A suitable painkiller can help relieve almost any kind of pain. However, if you use it excessively, addiction is a genuine possibility. The euphoria produced by opioids increases the odds that excessive use will occur.
Starting Your Recovery in Opioid Detox
The first task in a painkiller rehab program is halting your use of opioid medication. If you’re affected by addiction, this may seem like an unreachable goal. However, it’s achievable with help from opioid detox.
Detox is short for detoxification. It’s a controlled process that helps you stop using painkillers and clear them from your system. A vital part of this process is limiting the effects of opioid withdrawal. The most reliable way of reaching that goal is the temporary use of a replacement opioid.
Replacements approved for this purpose include the opioid medications buprenorphine and methadone. These medications are strong enough to ease the effects of withdrawal. However, when properly dosed, they won’t intoxicate you or encourage further opioid abuse. A non-opioid called naltrexone can help you stay painkiller-free when you stop taking buprenorphine or methadone.
Continuing on to Painkiller Addiction Treatment
Detox is followed by enrollment in active treatment for painkiller addiction. The most common approach is MAT or medication-assisted treatment. MAT combines the same medications used in detox with forms of therapy such as:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational interviewing
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Family therapy
Painkiller recovery plans may also include other forms of support. Potential options include nutrition and fitness programs. They also include meditation and different kinds of mindfulness practices.
Enroll in The Right Step’s Painkiller Rehab Program Today
Are you concerned that you or your loved one have a serious painkiller problem? Talk to the professionals at The Right Step. We’ll be happy to help you assess your situation. We can also explain the steps needed to enroll in effective treatment.
Painkiller rehab is one of the many recovery resources available at The Right Step. We can help you recover from the effects of any addictive pain reliever. We also feature effective treatment for all other forms of opioid addiction. To start today, call us at 17135283709 or fill out our brief online contact form.