Recovery and Chronic Pain
Chronic pain and addiction feed each other. Non-opioid treatments like physical therapy, gabapentin, and mindfulness-based pain reduction give people in recovery real options for managing pain without risking relapse.
How are chronic pain and addiction connected?
Chronic pain and addiction are connected. Many people started using because of pain.
What's the link between painkillers and addiction?
- Many people started with prescription painkillers
- Pain drives continued use
- Withdrawal increases pain sensitivity
- Recovery requires pain management
What are non-opioid pain management options?
Medications:
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
- Acetaminophen
- Gabapentin
- Duloxetine
- Muscle relaxants
Non-medication:
- Physical therapy
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Yoga
- Mindfulness-based pain reduction
- TENS units
- Heat/cold therapy
How should you talk to doctors about pain and recovery?
- Be honest about recovery
- Ask about non-opioid options
- If surgery is needed, plan ahead
- Use a team approach
What happens when opioids are medically necessary?
Sometimes opioids are medically necessary:
- Surgery
- Severe acute pain
- With safeguards
Work with your recovery team and doctor together.
Does pain get worse in early recovery?
Pain sensitivity often increases in early recovery:
- Hyperalgesia (increased pain sensitivity)
- Brain recalibrating
- Gets better over time
What should you do first?
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Tell your doctors about your recovery.
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Explore non-opioid options first.
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Try physical therapy. It's often effective.
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Practice mindfulness for pain reduction.
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Build a team. Doctor + recovery support working together.
What does SoberSphere recommend?
- Non-opioid first. There are more options than most people realize.
- Physical therapy. Evidence-based and effective.
- Tell your doctors. Be honest about your recovery.
- Team approach. Doctor + recovery support.
- Pain management is possible without opioids.
Pain can be managed in recovery.
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