Drug Treatment and Your Healthcare Provider: What You Need to Know
Drug addiction is scary, life-threatening, and causes so many negative impacts on one’s life. It can be very easy to become addicted to medication provided to you by your healthcare provider, yet not as easy to tell them that it is happening. It is important to know all angles of telling your healthcare provider that you have a history of drug addiction, or need drug treatment at a drug rehab near me right now. Keep reading to learn more about drug treatment and your healthcare provider and what you can expect moving forward.
Symptoms of Drug Abuse
First, it is important to recognize the symptoms of drug abuse. You may experience some of these symptoms or all of these symptoms to varying degrees. Contrary to popular belief about addiction: you do not have to “hit rock bottom” in order to need or warrant help. If you are feeling like your addiction is impacting your life, then the time to get help is now.
Symptoms of drug abuse include:
- Multiple prescriptions and multiple pharmacies, or even multiple doctors
- Taking more than the prescribed dosage
- Negative impacts on school, work, or family life
- Isolation due to being high or hungover
- Too much time spent thinking about drugs
- Chronic pain worsening
- Obtaining drugs from the black market
How to Talk to Your Doctor About Drug Treatment
All chronic pain doctors ask if you have a history of drug abuse or addiction. You may also be asked how or why you became addicted in the first place, which can be triggering for many, so it is important to be prepared. It is essential to answer these questions honestly, as it will impact the course of action taken by your doctor. And, it can also be a life-threatening situation for you if you become addicted and overdose.
The life-threatening situation of being prescribed highly addictive medication while having a history of substance abuse is not something that doctors take lightly. In fact, you may find it very difficult to find a doctor who will prescribe them to you. This means finding new ways to treat your chronic pain that does not involve dangerous prescription drugs.
Tips for talking to your doctor about your history of drug rehab:
- Only disclose your history if it is relevant to the treatment you are receiving
- Show respect for your doctor and their staff
- Listen to all their options and opinions on your condition
- If you do need help with your condition right now, be open and honest with your doctor
Treatment for Chronic Pain
Chronic pain doesn’t have just one single treatment plan in dangerous prescription pills. There are other ways to treat chronic pain, drug-free, and individuals are able to live normal, healthy lives. Some of this includes:
- Education about your condition. The more you know about the chronic pain condition that you are suffering from, the more you will be able to take control of it or anticipate its flare-ups. Knowing your triggers or the times of day where you are in the most pain are all helpful in dealing with chronic pain.
- Alternative therapies. Therapies such as acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, and yoga are all very helpful when done regularly. Keeping up with these therapies will help keep your chronic pain at bay, and they are also a great way to relax.
- Keep stress levels down. The more stressed out you are, the more your muscles tend to tense up and chronic pain can worsen. If you can keep stress levels down through relaxation techniques, better sleep, exercise, and self-care, this will greatly help your condition.
- Seek professional treatment. If you are not sure about how to approach managing your chronic pain without the use of dangerous prescription drugs, it is important to search for “drug rehab near me” so that you can live a healthier, happier life.
About Seasons in Malibu
Using dangerous prescription drugs to treat a chronic pain condition is not a healthy long-term solution. If you are worried about feeling discriminated against by doctors for disclosing your drug treatment history, it is time to start seeking other options for managing your chronic pain. There are other options out there, and it all starts with speaking to your healthcare provider or giving us a call.
Treatment at Seasons in Malibu is systemic, integrative, and client-centered. Our philosophy is grounded in the understanding that in order for the client to heal, the entire system needs the opportunity to heal along with them. Our highly trained staff of MDs, psychotherapists, and holistic practitioners are encouraged to connect with clients and open their minds to new modes of thinking. Our community also incorporates a systemic family treatment model into the process so our clients have the greatest chance for long-term sobriety after they leave Seasons In Malibu.
With our superior team of clinicians, we are able to succinctly pinpoint those areas of focus that will give the client the most advanced opportunity for success. Our approach towards healing is collaborative, comprehensive, and committed. Our counselors are invested in your well-being and are ready around the clock to guide you or a trusted friend or family member through the initial steps of overcoming drug or alcohol addiction.
For more information on drug treatment, visit seasonsmalibu.com