In a chronic pain situation how can an addict be expected to cope without opiates? Is there any medication with the strength of an opiate that is non narcotic or addictive?(Tramadol is an opiate, just synthetic) I think it is inhumane to force a recovering addict to live with pain (parole officers). But taking these meds seriously compromises recovery!
Do you know, this thought had never occured to me at all. It must be a real problem and certainly one nobody ever talks about. There are several painkillers which are non-addictive but they aren't always the most effective. I expect there's a lot of trial and error involved in finding the correct solution for the patient.
Heroin addiction is usually controlled by Methadone. you need to see a Methadone Clinic or Pain management specialist to get in a program. Chronic PAin needs to be managed by a Pain Management specialist. Contact your local hospital and ask for a referal to one.
i don't think of tramadol as an opiate but take your word,recovering heroin addicts are put on methadone.and i understand they get high from that.to go cold turkey would be miserable,thats for sure.
Pain as in side effects from being an addict? or everyday pain like headaches and such? I just put up with it, actually, when I was recovering.
There's an experimental technique (i think it's still experimental) where they put an addict in a chemically induced coma, during which their body can go through withdrawals without experiencing the pain. After the drug is completely out of the system, they wake the patient up.
Some people get suboxone. It is prescribed for pain but very rarely. It is a really lousy pain-killer being it is a partial opiate agonist. It keeps receptors filled partially or half way. So in simple terms it is doing half the job it should be, like taking half a aspirin compared to whole one in pain terms. It can be used for either both. If he is a ex-heroin addict suboxone can be used, but Methadone is preferred being it is a full agonist and Suboxone sometimes cannot cancel these so called craving that a heroin addict gets for heroin. People of all walks of addiction have had success with both, or the opposite where one individual needs one or the other.
OP, unfortunately, opioid drugs are currently the best treatment we have for chronic pain - that's why so many chronic pain patients become opioid addicts in the first place. If you have a pain management doctor, try talking to them about alternatives like Lyrica or gabapentin - these are great treatments for neuropathic pain. There are also topical formulations available from compounding pharmacies that can be very helpful for chronic pain patients. Again, these require a prescription, so talk to your doctor about it.
I'm not really sure since I've never been addicted to heroin, but I guess those withdrawal symptoms must really be unbearable. Well, every drug is, if you think about it in-depth.
but if its chronic pain, do they risk the relapse to get on pain management? There are issues, like cancer where pain meds are necessary.