Trying to manage chronic pain on your own is exhausting at best and can easily lead to addiction. Often prescribed for acute or chronic pain are opiate painkillers, medications that can lead to addiction if not properly managed. While opiates are initially effective in easing the pain, they’re also addicting. Even though most cases of acute pain last less than six months, that’s still sufficient time to develop an addiction. If you’re in this position now and can feel yourself developing painkiller dependence, it is absolutely time to seek professional help for chronic pain treatment and addiction.
We take your entire medical, environmental, genetic, nutritional, and psychological history into consideration and use that information to create a personalized treatment program. Our professional and compassionate staff will guide you through the treatment modalities best suited for your needs, ranging from individual and group sessions to our signature “Build Me Up” program. We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you take those first steps on the path to recovery from trauma or chronic pain.
We offer the following treatment modalities for those suffering from anxiety and panic disorder: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Strategic Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Positive Psychology, and D’Amore’s Signature Positive Reinforcement Program, “Build Me Up” Experiential Therapy, Strategic Family Therapy, Play Therapy, Reality Therapy.
Many of us experience some type of trauma at some point in our lives. Similarly, we all have stories about some nagging injury that has plagued us. However, sometimes these situations are such that we have difficulty managing them on our own. Trauma that is left unprocessed or chronic pain that is managed incorrectly can have disastrous consequences for the individuals who suffer from them.
Thinking about a traumatic event, some sleeplessness and lack of focus, and feeling a little sad or uncomfortable are all normal responses to trauma. For many individuals, these symptoms will lessen over time. For some, however, the responses are more extreme and may last for quite some time. Here are some signs that an individual who has suffered a traumatic event may be having trouble coping:
Often to help manage patients’ pain, healthcare professionals will prescribe powerful pain-relieving medications. In a normal situation, injuries will heal over time and medication will no longer be necessary. However, nagging pain from injuries such as those to the back or shoulders will last longer than expected. Because many of the medications that doctors prescribe for pain contain opioids, addiction to these medications is a serious risk. Long-term use of pain medication actually increases the body’s sensitivity to pain, causing pain to amplify. This is referred to as hyperalgesia.
Taking prescription pain medication long-term, or self-medicating in other ways, can lead to life-threatening consequences. It is important that individuals suffering from chronic pain get professional guidance on how to manage their pain. Psychotherapy and relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation have proven to be effective countermeasures to chronic pain.
Chronic pain can be managed but if left untreated, they can lead to much more serious conditions requiring medical attention. If you or someone love is suffering from chronic pain, please talk to a professional to determine the best course of action to both manage your current ailments and prevent further complications.
Valerie has worked in the medical field for over 8 years and the past 4 years has worked in mental health as a school counselor at an elementary school, therapist at a nonprofit for women and children and a therapist at nonprofit working with homeless adults who suffer from Schizophrenia and Bipolar. Valerie received her MSW at USC and is currently working towards her LCSW.
