Pain Clinics and Pill Mills
For the past 20 years, there has been an opioid battle in the United States.
Although opioids were thought to be a safe treatment for chronic pain, this is now known to be false.
The creation of pain clinics was created out of the need to supply medication to those living with chronic pain, but have now developed into a method for addicts to obtain drugs.
This is a huge problem considering nearly 50,000 overdose deaths occurred in 2014.
Immediate Placement in Rehab
What is a Pill Mill?
The Dangers of Opioids
Opioids are a class of drugs that includes different prescription painkillers as well as illegal drugs like heroin.
Even though doctors prescribe opioids to treat pain, they are often misused.
When they are misused, and even when prescribed, they can lead to addiction.
The most common opioids prescribed include oxycontin, Vicodin, Dilaudid, and morphine.
Although addiction to opioids does not happen immediately, it does happen quickly. Symptoms of opioid addiction include but are not limited to:
- inability to control opioid use
- uncontrollable cravings
- drowsiness
- changes in sleep habits
- weight loss or gain
- decreased libido
- decreased attention to personal hygiene
- isolation from family or friends
Learn More About Rehab
Opioid Use Disorder
An opioid use disorder is a medical condition defined by addiction to opioids. If you cannot abstain from using opioids or your opioid use interferes with your daily life, you could have an opioid use disorder.
When you are physically dependent on opioids, you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them or go too long between doses. Opioid withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to:
- muscle aches
- anxiety
- runny nose
- excessive sweating
- insomnia
- diarrhea
- nausea/vomiting
Pill Mills vs. Pain Clinics
The term “pill mills” comes from the distinction of doctors, pharmacies, or pain clinics that prescribes controlled medications inappropriately. The main difference between pill mills and pain clinics is that pill mills are illegally dispensing medication. On the other hand, pain clinics often prescribe medication to people who need them, but are known to be over-prescribed.
Why Are Pain Clinics Dangerous?
A considerable number of deaths have occurred due to prescription painkillers. The worst part about the opioid epidemic is that there is no end in sight. Pain clinics still exist, and it is important to understand how to diagnose opioid use disorders.
On average, those who are prescribed opioids are on them for at least one year. This offers a high chance to become addicted because medical care providers and patients lack adequate education surrounding opioids.
Although not all pain clinics are bad, they prescribe opioids at a much higher rate than should be done. Additionally, when pain clinics or doctors decide to cut off a patient who is now addicted to opioids, they often turn to illegal use of the drug. This becomes dangerous, as they might buy them off a drug dealer, the internet, or even begin using heroin.
Mental Illness and Drug Abuse
When you have a mental illness, it is important to be careful about who prescribes your medication. Whether you are suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or even OCD, addiction on top of these disorders will only make it worse.
Many individuals with mental illnesses suffer from addictions to substances as well. When you have a mental illness simultaneously as a substance use disorder, this is called a dual diagnosis. Although often opioids or other drugs can soothe the effects of depression or anxiety, but only for a short while.
Immediate Placement in Rehab
Treatment
There are many different forms of drug rehab for opioid addiction. One effective method is medication-assisted treatment, known as MAT. The medications used include buprenorphine, known as Suboxone and Subutex, methadone, and extended-release naltrexone.
Most of the time, treatment begins with medical detox to rid the drugs from your body. After detoxification is complete, then MAT can start. MAT should always encompass counseling and behavioral treatment as well. Without this, it cannot be successful.
Payment Information
Do you want treatment but are worried about how you can pay for it? We have a team of financial professionals who provide free insurance verification. We will work with you to determine how to move forward with the treatment in a way that works for you and your financial situation.
Free Insurance Verification for Rehab
How to Get Help
Are you or a loved one struggling with addiction?
At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we understand how difficult it can be to give up an addiction because, with long term use, the mind is continuously remembering the euphoric feelings.
Our dedicated team will help you customize a treatment program to help you rediscover euphoria without the pills.
Our goal is for you to leave Resurgence Behavioral Health with mental fortitude and coping skills to maintain lifelong sobriety.
Call Resurgence Behavioral Health at 855-458-0050 to schedule an appointment.
We challenge you to make a fresh start with us today!
