If you were prescribed an opiate pain medication after injuring your back and you have been relying on the drug to reduce discomfort on a daily basis, it can be a scary prospect to learn that you have become addicted to your medication and that you are unable to cope without the drugs in your system. If you do whatever it takes to acquire additional pills since your prescription first ran out, you do not have to continue to be dependent on opiates. Use the treatment strategies below to kick your addiction.

Consult With Your Physician

If your primary physician is unaware of your addiction and the struggle that you are currently facing, it is best to be straightforward with them and let them know what is troubling you. During a consultation with your doctor, provide information about the amount of pain medication that you have been taking daily and how you feel if you run out of medication and have trouble obtaining more.

Perhaps, you have been withdrawing from others or are finding it difficult to complete daily tasks. You may even feel dizzy or jittery if medication is not within your reach. Your physician can safely wean you off of the opiates and may prescribe another type of medication that is non-addictive so that you can effectively eliminate pain. 

Join An Outpatient Treatment Program

A drug treatment program can provide you with tools that can be used to cope when/if you crave opiates. Contact the administrator at a local hospital to inquire about outpatient programs that are offered. Many programs offer daytime or nighttime sessions, allowing participants to select aprogram that will work well with personal schedules.

During meetings, you will learn about chemical dependency and viable ways to reduce cravings. You may also receive a referral to join a pain management program, which will assist with managing pain in safe ways that do not involve taking prescription pain medications. 

Speak To A Counselor

A drug counselor can help you sort out problems that you are dealing with that could potentially trigger you to turn to a prescription medication. Many addictions run rampant if personal issues become too difficult to deal with. If you have any underlying problems that you haven't been able to resolve, speaking to a counselor can help reduce anxiety, depression, or anger. A counselor will offer you insight that will help you face your problems in a healthy manner.