Suboxone treatment for pain patients

All too often, an individual starts out with a prescription for an opioid pain medication, and then winds up wondering why they're unable to stop taking it. Are they still in actual pain, or have they become addicted to the medication? Do they need treatment for addiction? How does one know for certain when substance abuse takes over?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which educates providers of Suboxone about the specific indicators of addiction, has developed the following list of symptoms of narcotic substance abuse.

If an individual is worried that they may be slipping into medication overuse, examining this list carefully is a wise place to begin.

Do you use your pain medication compulsively?

Do you find that you want to take the pills before you think about the level of pain that you are in?

Do you feel a craving for the drug that is not related to the amount of pain that you are in?

Have you ever looked for an additional doctor or source for your pain medication besides the doctor that regularly prescribes it?

Have you ever done anything illegal to gain access to pain medication?

Do you find yourself using more of the medication that was originally prescribed?

Do you take additional pain medications as well as the one that was prescribed by your physician?

If you see a doctor for pain, do you tell them exactly which medication you are seeking?

Are you unwilling to try other therapies instead of medication?

Do you usually run out of your pain medication before it is time for a refill?

If an individual answers yes to more than one of these questions, it is probably time to learn more about Suboxone treatment for pain management or to prevent addiction. Some individuals find that they are more at risk for addiction, and this can be increased by an overall lack of information about the traits of specific medications, as well as not enough information about additional pain management options.

Individuals that are afraid that chronic pain has led to addiction may find that visiting a treatment program for an overall assessment may make a dramatic difference in their life. This will, however, require experiencing some mental and physical discomfort in order to break free of any addiction that is beginning to take hold.

In addition, Suboxone treatment for individuals who are experiencing chronic pain is helpful because the medication itself has a "ceiling" effect. This means that the medication is chemically impossible to overuse. If an individual takes more that the prescribed dose, it does not provide a "high", nor does it provide any additional pain relief. This makes it very unappealing to misuse the medication.

Once an individual begins to ponder whether they've slipped into addiction, they can consult a doctor who specializes in treating these issues. This skilled professional will be able to assess whether they are simply managing chronic pain or have slipped into a substance abuse issue. If opioid treatment with Suboxone is necessary, the professional will work with the individual to develop a treatment plan and begin treatment.