Learn how addiction can affect you

According to different studies 5-15% of people prescribed painkillers meet the criteria for becoming addicted to the medication. Many of these cases are found in chronic pain patients—with over 116 million people suffering—mostly due to constant pain that needs to be relieved through medication.

Scientific research has made ground breaking discoveries in finding that substance abuse and addiction is actually a disease.  Are you experiencing an addiction to opioid medication? Here are some signs that could help you realize if you are depending on your medication.

-Having to increase amount of medication in order for pain to be relieved

-Spending an increasing amount of time seeking out drugs

-Continued use of drug despite interfering with everyday life

-Withdrawal symptoms when drug isn’t taken, such as:

-Aching

-Fever

-Panic

-Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting

-Shivering

-Irritability

There are solutions for preventing addiction to opioid medication often prescribed to fight against chronic pain—many of them involving medication such as anti-depressants, anti-arrhythmic, and anti-epileptic drugs. These opioid free drugs have proven to be effective in fighting off chronic pain, while remaining addictive free. The best step in preventing addiction is to never take an opioid.

If addiction is already a part of your life, there is still hope for you. With rehab programs, behavioral therapy, support groups, and medication—there are many options in curing an addiction. Click here to visit the Advanced Pain Management site to learn more about substance abuse treatment and how to prevent or put an end to addiction.

This blog is written for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for actual medical treatment. Please contact the APM Augusta office to schedule an appointment if you are in need of medical care.