Patients in Chronic Pain Fear Painkiller Addiction, Treatments at Mississippi Drug Rehab Centers, Says Survey
A new survey revealed that many Americans who suffer from chronic pain often worry about using opioid painkillers for fear of becoming addicted. Though most patients are aware of the dangers surrounding opioid use, many remain unaware about alternative therapies that can relieve and improve chronic pain. These new findings could lead to the development of new chronic pain treatments, while residents can lower their risk for painkiller addiction and avoid having to seek help at Mississippi drug rehab centers that treat opioid dependency.
If you or someone you know is addicted to painkillers, understand there are several local rehab centers that can help you or your loved one safely overcome dependency and addiction. Call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 888-414-2380 to learn more about Mississippi rehab centers that can guide you or your loved one to sobriety and improved health.
Lowering Mississippi Opioid Addiction Rates
Acupuncture can be an effective alternative to painkillers for some chronic pain patients.
As one of the country’s leading prescribers of opioid painkillers, Mississippi issues 1.2 opioid prescriptions for every resident in the state, including children, says the Mississippi State Department of Health. Exploring alternative treatments for chronic pain could help reduce opioid addiction and overdose rates in the state, and lead to improved public safety across local communities.
The survey involved more than 2,000 people who suffered from chronic lower back pain. Only half of these individuals were taking opioids for pain relief — 13% of which said opioids were successful at offering pain relief. However, 44% said opioids were somewhat successful, 31% said opioids were moderately successful, and the remaining 12% said opioids were unsuccessful. Additionally, 75% of all opioid users said they strongly disliked the side effects of painkillers, which included constipation, fatigue, and physical dependency.
Stigma surrounding opioid use was another major concern for patients, according to the survey. For instance, 41% of opioid users said they felt they were being judged for using painkillers, including the 68% who also took antidepressants. Overall, patients are mostly concerned about opioid addiction, especially those who take opioids for just a small period of time to treat and manage chronic pain.
Exploring Alternative Treatments for Chronic Pain
Survey author Dr. Asokumar Buvanendran, director of orthopedic anesthesia at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, says many patients lack knowledge about alternative treatment options for chronic pain. He suggests that doctors limit opioid use for patients to just a few days following an injury before implementing other therapies that eliminate the risk for addiction and substance abuse. Dr. Buvanendran recommends that physicians start turning to physical therapy, nerve ablation techniques, and bracing before writing extra prescriptions for opioids.
Patients in chronic pain who do become addicted to opioid painkillers can overcome dependency and addiction at drug rehab centers that specialize in opioid abuse. Many of these rehab centers offer unique FDA-approved medications that help patients avoid opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms while overcoming dependency. This treatment approach, known as medication-assisted treatment, is proven highly effective at helping recovering opioid addicts stay clean and sober long after rehab.
If you or someone you know is in chronic pain and addicted to painkillers, get help now before the problem becomes worse. Call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 888-414-2380 to learn more about Mississippi drug rehab centers that can help you or your loved one get clean of opioids and become happier, healthier, and addiction-free.
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