Wisconsin Patient Handbook 2023 - 53

The body also produces endorphins in response to
" outside " controls, such as medicine. Morphine is one
example of a powerful pain-blocking medicine.
Other outside pain control methods, such as exercise,
relaxation, massage, and heat and cold treatment, can
stimulate the body to either release endorphins or block
pain signals in other ways.
What can make your pain feel worse?
The following factors can make your pain feel worse:
* Increased disease activity
* Excessive physical activity
* Fatigue
* Depression
* Stress
* Dwelling on pain
* Anxiety
What can block pain signals?
The following exercises and techniques can block pain
signals:
* Positive attitude and pleasant thoughts
* Carefully monitored exercise
* Relaxation
* Massage
* Pleasing sights
* Humor
* Medication
* Distraction
* Topical lotions
* Heat and cold treatments
Source: Managing Your Pain, copyright ©1995 by the Arthritis
Foundation.
We experience two general categories of pain. Acute
pain is the result of injury, like a broken leg or surgery.
The pain usually resolves in days to weeks, but can
last up to three to six months. Acute pain is the direct
result of injury and resolves naturally over time.
Chronic pain lasts at least six months and can go on
for years. It is the result of a long lasting injury (i.e. a
ruptured disc), long lasting inflammation (i.e. arthritis)
or a longstanding change in how our nerves respond
to past injury, establishing a lasting, abnormal pain
response in the absence of tissue injury. Chronic pain
alters people's lives in many ways, including loss of
52
physical functioning, ruined relationships, lost jobs
and undermining joy. Chronic pain does not respond
well to opioid pain medication over time, resulting in
increased dosages with associated problems, including
addiction. Chronic pain needs a more holistic approach
with multiple types of treatment which can include
medication, exercise, relaxation techniques, and other
medical interventions.
If you have pain, you have the right to have your pain
recognized and addressed. Your responsibility as a patient
at Hazelden Betty Ford includes treating your pain as part
of your ongoing recovery from substance use.
Medication Guide for People in
Recovery
Introduction
Many medications, both over-the-counter (OTC) and
prescription (Rx), have mood altering effects. Not only do
these medications have addiction potential of their own,
but they may also lead to return to use.
The following are guidelines to medication use for
people with addictions. It is not meant to replace the
advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other health
care professional. If you have any questions regarding
medication use during your recovery, please contact your
physician and/or pharmacist.
In addition, since there are so many medications on the
market, it is impossible to list all of those that should
not be used. We tried to pick common reasons why
medications would be used and give a few examples
in each category. Again, if you have questions about
a specific medication not listed here, contact your
physician and your recovery team.
Using this guide
Medications are listed as generic names (i.e.,
acetaminophen) with a few examples of brand names
(i.e., Tylenol) given in parentheses. The active ingredient
listed is the generic name. For an example, a common
generic name is chlorpheniramine, and it is included in
brand names like Tavist. Since there are too many brands
to list, it is important that you always check the active
ingredients for the generic name.
Abbreviations used in this guide:
Rx = prescription only
OTC = over-the-counter
Wisconsin Patient Handbook 2023

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