We hope this finds you and your family well. Although times are uncertain and often stressful lately, we have been making a point to enjoy some of the things that money cannot buy.
Also, in response to some of your requests during these difficult economic times, we're offering phone counseling at a very reduced price. It's becoming obvious that many families who need help with a loved one's chemical dependency are also in a tight place financially.
If your loved one is firmly on the road to recovery, then
bravo. If things haven't changed or perhaps have even become worse--
this may be a great time to re-evaluate what should be done next.
This month's newsletter is packed with new links. Of note is an updated
Resources Page, two new radio shows on intervention (
Joe walks the listener through an actual intervention), a blog post by one of our readers called "
Letting Go of My Daughter" --a new "Ask Joe:
Chronic Pain Management and Pain Pill Addiction. What to do?" --a new "Ask The Addict's Mom:
I Felt as Though I was Reborn" and
a heartwarming photo sent to us recently by "Gramma Carole" as she supports her grandson in his struggle for sobriety and life itself.
Please share this newsletter with anyone you know who can use some support and encouragement.
Never give up hope.
-Joe & Judy Herzanek
LISTEN TO JOE'S RADIO INTERVIEW FOR RECOVERY NOW!
THE BENEFITS OF DRUG ADDICTION PHONE COUNSELING
ALSO READ:
4 MAJOR ADVANTAGES OF TELEPHONE COUNSELING WITH AN ADDICTION PROFESSIONAL
A: Dear Betty ,
This is a difficult dilemma. If your sister's daughter has genuine, documentable chronic pain (by that I mean a physician has done a thorough exam and can point right to the problem, then this can be a huge challenge.
There is a lot I don't know from your short email such as her age, type of injury, how long it has persisted and so on.
If she were my daughter I would want to personally go with her to a Dr. appointment and hear the prognosis first-hand. And I am not talking about going to a pain management clinic-but to the physician who is medically treating her injury.
The downside to using opiate pain meds (pain pills) for pain is that the person can/will build a high tolerance to them (if used over many months or years) and even if the original issue that caused the pain were to heal, the patient won't be able to tell-because their central nervous system now expects opiates to come in on a regular basis. If this doesn't happen, the body will "revolt"-go into withdrawal.
Your email stated "she has an incurable back problem." I don't know what that may mean, how severe the pain is, what has or has not been tried. I'm not a medical doctor. I do know trying lots of other options with the hope of finding a better solution than opiates is worth the effort.
There are often other options for chronic pain management. Neuromuscular stimulators, stretching, exercise, chiropractic adjustments, over the counter medications, acupuncture, as well as surgery are some treatments for chronic pain. Some physicians use placebos, which in some cases have resulted in a lessening or elimination of pain. Psychotherapy, relaxation and medication therapies, biofeedback, and behavior modification may also be employed to treat chronic pain.
These options require work and a willingness on the daughter's part to maybe go through a little more pain to find an alternative.
Keep in mind that all the while-she knows in the back of her head, that she can just take another pill or two and get instant relief. This can be a real mental tug-of-war.
Perhaps the best advice is to take the time to find a doctor that truly understands addiction, chronic pain management, pain med abuse along with the psychological mind game that a patient will struggle with.
I can advise you of several resources for advice or suggestions that you may find helpful--depending on your location.
Best regards,
~Joe
RELATED:
-Pain Meds Cause More Pain! The new silent epidemic.
-Read more about this topic--chapter 27, Why Don't They Just Quit?
MORE "ASK JOE"
-When an adult child recognizes a problem with alcohol.
-Son needs $75 for drug dealer or he'll be "killed for sure."
-I'm not able to deal with my live-in fiance's need to get drunk every night.
-What if they just CAN'T quit?