Chronic pain and addiction are intertwined due to correlative effects on the mind and body. However, chronic pain and the frequent use of medication for pain does not automatically lead to addiction. Understanding chronic pain and addiction as separate entities that sometimes interact can help lead to better understanding of how each may affect a person’s life.
What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is characterized by persistent, unrelenting pain that never heals. This also includes pain that comes and goes. Pain is considered chronic if it persists in a generalized area continuously or intermittently for longer than three months.
Correlatively, chronic pain always has an underlying cause, whether it be mild or severe. It can also be due to a plethora of root reasons. Many people with chronic pain need time and medical support to determine and treat the root cause of the pain.
What is the Link Between Chronic Pain and Addiction?
Chronic pain and addiction are often associated with each other. Addiction may develop as the patient consistently uses substances such as opioid medication to manage pain so it doesn’t interfere with everyday life. But this is an easy way to develop addiction and physical dependence on pain medications, as well as for people to develop cravings for stronger substances (such as intravenous heroin) to address pain when conventional medications no longer suffice.
What’s the Difference Between Addiction and Physical Dependence?
Though physical dependence is a common symptom of addiction, it is not the same thing.
Addiction is a psychological disorder that renders the individual incapable of resisting alcohol or substance use. Physical dependency, on the other hand, is not considered a disease or disorder by itself. A person can be dependent without addiction while another may have physical dependency due to an underlying addiction.
The difference between physical dependence vs. addiction can be described as the difference between physical reliance and behavioral alterations. Dependency means the body relies on the drug to function to some degree. Addiction, on the other hand, causes behavioral changes stemming from substance-induced mental afflictions. This means that while medication can be taken to abate physical reliance, it doesn’t change one’s addiction status. That’s why medical detox and addiction treatment are two separate programs that should be taken in conjunction with one another.
Our bodies naturally adapt to exposure to chemicals and other substances in the bloodstream. This adaptation, known as physical dependence, is not addiction in itself. It is simply your body reacting and adjusting to the continued presence of substances. These physical dependencies consist of changing tolerance levels, minimum dosage requirements to maintain functionality, and other factors. The dependence that is detached from addiction disorders can be recovered with the proper medication-assisted treatment program.
We’ve pointed out that the difference between addiction and dependency is the fact that dependency is not a disorder. Expounding upon that discrepancy, physical dependency is a symptom of addiction, not the other way around. Yet it is important to understand that having a dependency doesn’t always mean you have an addiction. Yes, dependency increases the risk and likelihood of developing addiction.
Common Signs of Addiction
Addiction symptoms present very physical, mental, and behavioral manifestations if you know what to look for. It’s important to contact a treatment specialist if you notice any of the following symptoms or struggle with substances.
Poor hygiene and a disheveled appearance are tell-tale signs of an addiction disorder. This occurs because an individual has become so focused on substance use at the expense of their hygiene and appearance. However, this should be approached with care when someone has chronic pain — they may have had a period of bad pain that prevented them from performing as much self-maintenance as desired.
When addiction takes hold, it takes precedence over every other task. That includes important priorities, such as job duties. This suffering performance manifests itself in several ways like persistent tardiness, lack of work urgency, suffering work ethic, and other likened ways. Eventually, this leads to job loss and financial battles if the underlying addiction battle is not tended to with treatment.
When addiction is involved, satisfying that addiction will often consume a majority of the finances. As a result, important bills such as rent, phone, or utilities may be paid late or not at all. Unbeknownst to the addicted party, a lot of their financial instability can be rectified simply by removing the addictive substance from their life.
Darkened or pronounced eye bags are a very common symptom of addiction. This is especially the tell-tale indicator for opioid addiction users. This physical appearance occurs due to addiction-related sleep deprivation, the substance use impacting the skin, and other variables.
Uncontrollable shakes or tics are both a common withdrawal symptom and side effects of substance abuse. These tics and shakes reveal themselves in several ways through repetitive motions, scratches, or involuntary appendage tremors. This means addiction has taken such a hold that central nervous system compromise may be imminent. Thankfully, detox treatment can help heal and restore most central nervous system functions, paving the way for a smoother recovery.
Antisocial or reclusive behavior can be a sign that someone is struggling with addiction. Individuals with a substance use disorder may be closed and reclusive towards their closest family and friends. This is a passive tactic utilized to conceal their battles. Upon observing this, reach out to your loved one, and don’t ignore the red flags of social isolation. Your actions could be the very thing that spares a loved one from further harm and potentially fatal consequences.
If tolerance levels are steadily increasing, that’s a tell-tale indication of substance use disorder. Tolerance levels only increase when the substance is indulged regularly. Not only is this telling of an addiction problem, but it also increases the risks and potential of an overdose. Every increased dose poses an opportunity to have serious life-threatening consequences.
What if You Can’t Stop Medication for Pain Management?
Unfortunately, some medications for chronic pain can inadvertently induce addiction or physical dependence. But what if you can’t stop taking your prescription, because it helps with your chronic pain?
Nothing resolves a medication-based pain predicament better than doctoral communication. If the medications you are using to treat chronic pain are causing addiction or other interferences, immediately call your doctor. They are the best consultant to guide you through and make any adjustments necessary to your medication or treatment plan. This is why complete transparent communication with your physician is of the utmost importance.
Medication-assisted therapy is not the only route for addiction withdrawal pain relief. If your prescriptions are creating more problems than they are solutions, don’t continue. Stop meds according to your medical team’s advice and seek alternative pain relief methods. This may include holistic treatments or other therapeutic practices.
The first impulse when your current meds are no longer enough is to get stronger ones. But this is the worst thing to do. If your current meds aren’t working, it’s a sign you’ve developed a tolerance (indicative of physical dependency). Escalating to stronger medications can deepen your dependency and even cause addiction, depending on the type of prescription.
In rare cases where dependency may have unintentionally developed towards prescriptions, you may have to be weaned off your meds gradually. This means lowering your dose with each intake until you’re eventually off the medications permanently (though this strategy may change depending on your individual case).Never attempt to ease or stop medications without the instruction or monitoring of a treatment specialist.
Receive Help for Addiction at Principles Recovery
Principles Recovery Centers uses personalized treatment tools, options, and in-depth outpatient treatment programs for you to excel. Our passion is ensuring our patients can independently sustain long-term sobriety seamlessly after detox. We understand it is what comes after completing treatment that matters most, and we are here to help you every step of the way. Reach out to us today to learn techniques to cope with addiction with techniques you can take with you for the rest of your life.
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