Pain killer withdrawal is surprisingly intense. But because of the similarities between pain killers and heroin, this can be expected.



Most people suffering through pain killer withdrawal will have difficulties doing it on their own unless a friend or another family member help with the detoxification. In any case, it is very important that pain killer withdrawal is monitored by a professional.

Why is Professional Treatment Recommended?

Pain killer addiction develops over time and the level of opiates in the body can increase depending on the tolerance built. It is believed that quitting cold turkey will have serious health complications and this is the reason why opiate addicts should seek professional treatment.

There are actually a lot of substance abuse facilities that can help a person successfully complete the pain killer withdrawal stage. Although it would cost some money, it will be worth it.

Most choose a treatment facility because of the privacy it offers. Basically, a person addicted to pain killers can expect the following as part of his pain killer withdrawal treatment.

Medications:

Since the prolonged use of pain killers can alter your brains normal functioning, it can explain why it would be difficult to quit on your own. In order to remove your dependence of these substances, doctors will have to include in your pain killer withdrawal treatment medications such as LAAM (levo-alapha-acetyl-methadol) and methadone.

These medications will help you slowly and safely detoxify. As mentioned earlier, the removal of the opiates from the body can cause very intense pain killer withdrawal symptoms and these medications can help mange them more effectively.

Behavioral Counseling:

As soon as your body is clean from the opiates, you will now have to undergo behavioral counseling. In essence, your behavior towards your need for pain killers will be addressed.

During these counseling sessions, the reason for the pain killer abuse will be determined. You and your therapist will then try to address these reasons for your addiction.

Most behavioral counseling sessions that are part of the pain killer withdrawal treatment are done in group. It would certainly be easier to kick the pain killer addiction once and for all with people who understand what you are going through, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Even after getting discharged from the treatment facility, it is best to continue to attend group counseling sessions to provide others strength and continue receiving support. It is even necessary for a lot of people to continue with a successful recovery of their opiate addiction.

Pain killer withdrawal can really be draining and if you are planning on going through it, you must have a strong resolve to stop your pain killer addiction. Seeking help and support from your family and friends is very important because you have to understand and accept that it will be nearly impossible to do it alone.

Most importantly, you have to believe that it can be done in order to quit. Not only do you have to believe that it can be done, but you HAVE to want to quit in order to quit.

I hope this article will help the readers understand the treatment of pain killer and heroin addiction (opiate addiction). I wish anyone with this disease the best of luck in your recovery, and I hope you have positive people behind you.