Did you know that about 1.7 million people in the United States are diagnosed with addiction disorders related to their prescription pain meds? And a more shocking statistic is that, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 130 people lose their lives daily due to opioid overdose. Since 2017, the abuse of opiates has been on the rise—and will continue to rise, unless we choose to fight it. Through science, new medical discoveries, and non-opioid treatment options, we can hope for a better future for those struggling with chronic pain disorders.
How can you help reduce opiate abuse? Choose to opt for and spread the knowledge about non-opioid medications and therapies before resorting back to the highly addictive pain killers that take so many lives. For example, our mind is a powerful tool and can, as many of you know, take control of our bodies—for worse or for better. Together, let us choose better, and put into practice the “mind-over-matter” concept. You can do so by using therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), occupational therapy, and/or taking part in daily guided meditation that will help you to better cope with your discomfort.
CBT therapy is a type of psychotherapy created to alter behavior, mentality, and a person’s perception of their situation on a neurological level. Ultimately, CBT teaches a patient how to turn any negative self-talk or catastrophic thinking that worsens your symptoms and spin it into positivity. According to Faye Weinstein, the director of pain management psychology at Keck School of Medicine, “Many people develop this sort of catastrophic thinking about their pain, which actually worsens their pain score.” Simply put, your mindset may be causing more damage than the actual disorder, so why not choose to learn how to control it?
Occupational therapy is designed to get you into a routine that is mentally and physically productive. The regular schedule and daily tasks help to refocus the mind away from the pain. All of these therapeutic options, along with non-opioid medications can help you to attack your pain from all angles.
As far as non-opiate medications go, NSAIDs, antidepressants and local anesthetics are a few effective options. NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are designed to ease physical pain on a short-term basis. The key here is short-term. Medications like ibuprofen help to temporarily eliminate unwanted feelings of pain to help get you through a particularly hard day or event, but are not intended for prolonged use. Long-term use may only cause more potentially painful medical issues. Local anesthetics refer to topical creams, oils, or pastes that aid in relieving isolated physical pain. Antidepressants may seem like a less obvious option but, similarly to depression and anxiety disorders, some of the pain you are experiencing is coming from your brain on a psychological level. These medications are supposed to alleviate these particular pain symptoms.
For those of you who cannot seem to find relief for your chronic pain through the above holistic and non-opiate options, ketamine infusions are a highly effective alternative. We at restoratIV Ketamine Wellness Centers have seen first-hand how a series of ketamine treatments can change the life of someone struggling with pain or depression. Ketamine works on the glutamate system and promotes the reformation of new, healthy neural connections. The results have been incredible! Our patients have boasted of the quick and long-lasting symptomatic relief that ketamine infusions provide. Contrary to popular belief, ketamine is not a physically addictive drug, and, to prevent it from getting into the wrong hands, is always administered in a clinic under clinic supervision.
If you want to learn more or have questions about ketamine infusions for the treatment of chronic pain conditions, please call restoratIV Ketamine Wellness Centers and our professional staff will be happy to help. We look forward to speaking with you and partaking in your journey towards a pain-free life.
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