If you’ve ever struggled with substance abuse, you’re probably aware that it can be devastating. But did you know there are ways to manage withdrawals and reduce the severity of your addiction?
Drug rehab for drug addiction is no longer enough, as you must also include other behavioral treatments like pain management during your stay.
This blog post will provide an inside look into the methods and strategies treatment centers near me use to manage withdrawal symptoms, such as pain and discomfort during detoxification.
Withdrawal Symptoms
When you first enter a drug treatment center, you’re likely going to experience some serious withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawals refer to the physical and psychological effects experienced by individuals when they stop using drugs or alcohol after prolonged use. Symptoms may include physical ailments like nausea, vomiting, sweating, shaking, headaches, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, depression, and cravings.
One of the best ways to reduce these symptoms is to take pain medications. Pain medications work by dulling your brain’s ability to receive sensory information. This can make it easier for you to manage some of the symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, depression, and nausea.
Note that these withdrawal symptoms vary in intensity depending on the substance used and how long the person has been using it. However, once you finish with this phase, you’ll then be able to focus more intently on getting clean and healthy.
How to Manage Pain During Withdrawals
Pain management during withdrawals is essential to reduce discomfort and make the experience more bearable. There are several treatment centers that can help manage the withdrawal pain.
If you search for treatment centers near me online, you will likely find one that meets your needs.
With that said, specialists often use methadone or buprenorphine for pain management or emergency dosing.
Methadone
Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used to help manage withdrawal symptoms from opioids, including pain. Methadone works by attaching to the same opioid receptors in the brain and body that drugs like heroin and oxycodone would otherwise attach to. This prevents opioids from having their usual effect on the body, helping to lessen withdrawal symptoms.
As a result, Methadone helps to reduce cravings and lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid used to help treat people suffering from addiction to opioids like heroin and prescription painkillers. Buprenorphine works by binding to the same opioid receptors in the brain stimulated by drugs like heroin, but with a much weaker effect. This helps to reduce cravings for more of the drug while still providing some relief from withdrawal symptoms.
Using medication like buprenorphine and Methadone can be a great way to manage pain during drug withdrawals. It is important to remember that other pain management methods are available, including exercise, physical therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
However, medication-assisted treatment interventions with drugs like buprenorphine and Methadone have shown to be a safe and effective way to reduce withdrawal-related pain in those struggling with substance abuse disorders.
