Chronic Pain and Pill Addiction - By: Rosie Wallace

Chronic pain is defined most simply as pain that does not go away. It can be caused by an injury, by nerve damage, or by illness, and can occur in any part of the body. Chronic pain can range from mild to severe, but it is constant. Being in chronic pain can make it difficult to live a normal productive life. Many people who experience chronic pain resort to medications to help make life bearable. Unfortunately, many of the medications commonly prescribed for chronic pain are highly addictive. This means that people can be in pain and also suffering from addictions to these pills. Some of the most commonly prescribed, and most addictive, pain medications are oxycodone, codeine, vicodin, and morphine.

Oxycodone is a narcotic used to treat moderate to severe pain caused by fractures, arthritis, and cancer. It goes by brand names such as Percoset, and OxyContin. Oxycodone is a highly addictive pain medication. Many people begin taking it to manage pain after an injury or accident, then find that they are addicted. Because oxycodone dampens the brain’s responses to pain, people find that they need more and more of it to get the same level of euphoria and pain relief. When taken as directed, oxycodone can cause headaches, nausea, and dry mouth. Overdoses can cause seizures and coma.

Codeine is another opiate commonly used as a pain medication. It is also frequently used in cough medicines. Because codeine is highly addictive, many people find themselves “hooked” without realizing it. Although codeine is only available by prescription, it is possible to become addicted to cough syrup containing codeine. Many people who are addicted to codeine take it along with alcohol, which multiplies its negative effects on the body. Sometimes people get codeine as part of a prescription for dental procedures and accompanying pain. When someone notices the relaxing effects on both pain as well as one's stress levels, it can be used as another way to deal with daily problems rather than to get more permanent and lasting solutions that are natural.

We also observe commercials on television all the time that show us ways to relieve pain, improve depression, get a better night's sleep and deal with daily aches. This starts to train the mind to look at prescription pills as ways to solve our daily problems and not explore natural means. Try to incorporate some natural solutions including dietary changes, supplements, increased exercise and meditation to use the mind and body to heal itself. The mind is a very powerful tool in coping with pain and can be explored to aid in relieving discomfort.

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