More Considerations For Staying Off Opiates

4. Just say no to Zohydro.

Zohydro is a new, extended-release, longer-acting form of hydrocodone that has even more addictive potential than the already-addictive medications it is meant to replace. This drug was approved for use in the USA by the FDA in April 2014.

5. If you have to take opioid drugs, stick to their short-acting versions.

Doctors sometimes offer long-acting opioid drugs for treating chronic pain. If you feel OK with a short-acting drug you take on an "as needed" basis, however, it is better to stay on the short-acting drug, which always has less potential for addiction.

6. For acute pain, use one or two forms of pain relief. For chronic pain, use multiple forms of pain relief.

Even if you use opioid medications for chronic pain, which greatly increases the risk of addiction, you can reduce your risk of addiction by using multiple forms of pain relief.

Use trancutaenous electroneural stimulation (TENS). Try moist heat. Go for a massage. See a hypnotist or a biofeedback specialist. Try herbs and changes in your diet. It's OK just to take a pill if you are only going to take the medication for a week to two weeks, but for any kind of pain that lasts more than 2 weeks, try multiple approaches, letting each one do its healing work.

7. Don't let your doctor prescribe multiple opioid medications without explaining the reason why.

Sometimes doctors prescribe both the short-acting and long-acting versions of a painkiller, or prescribe two or even more different opioid painkillers. Both of these practices can lead to drug dependency, and should be explained to you before you accept the prescription. Most pharmacies flag this kind of prescribing--so get all of your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy. A possible exception to this rule: Two different forms of administration, such as a fentanyl patch, applied to the skin, and hydrocodone tablets taken orally.

8. Increased sensitivity to pain is a (nearly) sure sign of addiction.

Taking the equivalent of more than 120 mg of hydrocodone per day can lead to a condition called hyperalgesia, or increased insensitivity to pain. Obviously, if taking very high doses of pain relievers starts making you more sensitive to pain rather than less, and you can't stop taking the medications without withdrawal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, severe rebound pain), you need medical intervention. Doctors disagree about the concept of hyperalgesia, but if you have it, you will know it.

9. Avoid dysfunctional coping behaviors.

Some people who have chronic pain develop a fear of movement, due to the misconception that using one's sore and aching body will cause further damage.

Don't let others protect you from your own capabilities. If you are going to hurt whether you sit at home and watch television or you get outside and take a walk, and the walk isn't going to do you further damage, go on the walk.

See Also: Oxycontin Addiction: Withdrawal methods & recovery

10. Don't get angry when your doctor suggests non-opioid pain relievers, especially if you are addicted.

Many doctors are aware when their patients are doctor-shopping to get multiple presecriptions fo drugs--and insurance companies usually are aware of the problem, too. Don't get mad when your doctor won't give you the addictive painkillers you request. He or she is just trying to save you from a condition that is just as disabling as your pain.