Billions of people are currently living with chronic pain. Millions of those people are right here in the United States. Chronic pain might impact the lower back. It might affect the neck area. Some people, more women than men, deal with chronic pain in the form of migraines or headaches. Others might deal with recurring facial pain. If you’re one of the individuals who suffer from any of these issues, you may be taking medication for chronic pain. Many chronic pain patients resort to taking prescription painkillers to help them deal with the discomfort.

Unfortunately, it’s common for people who take medication for chronic pain to develop a dependence on it. This dependence can lead to harmful misuse, known as substance abuse. So, how do you manage the pain without becoming dependent on drugs? Glad you asked.

What’s Chronic Pain?

Before we answer the first question, let’s talk a little more about chronic pain. What exactly does it mean to have this kind of pain? What are the risk factors? Can it be cured?

Well, first of all, chronic pain isn’t just severe pain that a person feels from time to time. It’s a recurring type of pain, mold or intense, that continues for a long time. The pain may last for days or weeks at a time. It might even last for months or years. Again, it can impact various areas of the body, though the most commonly affected area is the back.

Chronic pain can be genetic. If a parent has lived with a specific form of chronic pain, their child may also suffer from it. This kind of pain can also be a result of injury. If a person’s back has been hurt before for some reason (car accident, fall, etc.), he or she might experience pain repeatedly. As people age, they might become more prone to experiencing this kind of discomfort. Chronic pain can’t be cured but it can definitely be treated.

Treating Chronic Pain Without Drugs

Some people may seek medical attention and be prescribed medication for chronic pain. Although the medication isn’t necessarily bad, it can lead to a big problem. On the other hand, many people turn to alcohol or some other drug in order to treat their pain. Whether the individual takes medication for chronic pain or uses some other method of pain management, they’re at risk of becoming dependent.

So, again, how do people treat pain without using addictive medications or substances? First, it’s important to become free of the dependency. The individual will need to go through a detox process. This detox is done in a way that keeps the person from feeling all of the negative effects of withdrawal. The withdrawal symptoms can be extreme for some people. This issue often leads to relapse. But, through a medically assisted detox process, people can avoid that problem.

After detox is over, the individual can go through recovery treatment. This can help them to find ways to cope without turning to the pills or bottle. Once therapy and treatment are completed, the pain will still be there. This is another reason chronic pain patients might relapse.

Here at Wellness Retreat Recovery Center (WRRC), we know that chronic pain doesn’t go away because of detoxification. Some people may not know what to do without medication for chronic pain. But, WRRC does, and we can help! If you are taking medication for your pain, it’s possible that your body has become dependent on it. Our staff can help you to overcome that dependence and then help you manage the pain without medication. We use various methods of therapy, including holistic and physical. Do you think you or someone you know could benefit from our services? If so, contact us today!