Future implications of getting treatment

[Summerpup]

Question: If I go "on record" - go to a rehab facility or see an addiction counselor - does that mean if I break my leg some day that I won't be allowed pain killers?

Will insurance companies be notified and do I go on some list. If I need a root canal will they have to do it without medication?

I know this fear is based in addiction right now, but part of that fear is that giving up my three painkiller a day habit will relegate me to a life of physical pain as well as emotional (though I know the emotional will fade as I end this habit).

Thanks all.
Summerpup

[kittykat01]

No, N, No....to all your questions. The doctors or insurance companies only know what you tell them.
The most important thing is that you know you need help...next step is getting it..check out my thread...it might help.
God bless you and your recovery...

[faithhopelovejr]

[quote=Summerpup;1222976]Question: If I go "on record" - go to a rehab facility or see an addiction counselor - does that mean if I break my leg some day that I won't be allowed pain killers?

Will insurance companies be notified and do I go on some list. If I need a root canal will they have to do it without medication?

I know this fear is based in addiction right now, but part of that fear is that giving up my three painkiller a day habit will relegate me to a life of physical pain as well as emotional (though I know the emotional will fade as I end this habit).


You are correct on ONE thing. It is your fear of giving it up. Prime example is even when my AH was days away from getting out of rehab, a doctor who had his license snatched away for alcohol abuse came to visit them for a presentation. After the doctor spoke, my AH asked him (he said it was innocent) what medications were there out there "just in case" he was to get hurt, etc. that he could take for pain? I saw that as a red flag for even looking into the future for that. Logically I can understand the question for maybe if you were allergic to pennicillin and you needed to know this, but from an addict's perspective, and given the fact that he relapsed within 2 weeks of getting out of rehab, this question was the "fear" that you are referring to. Don't worry about the future. Focus on today. Things will become more simplified to you this way. Good Luck! Pray!

[Ric]

The only thing is if you do get hurt and when the Hospital is doing their intake on you, they always ask "Do you have a history of substance abuse"

If you say Yes, they will likely not treat your pain well or at all. If you say no, your pain will be treated, but your risking your sober life on it.

What a catch 22.

[StagebearNJ]

Originally Posted by Summerpup

Question: If I go "on record" - go to a rehab facility or see an addiction counselor - does that mean if I break my leg some day that I won't be allowed pain killers?

Will insurance companies be notified and do I go on some list. If I need a root canal will they have to do it without medication?

Been to rehab, unfortunately more than once in a 20 year span. Still was able to get addicted to percocet, etc. So, no, unless you tell it doesn't follow you.
As far a dental work, etc. any doctor worth their salt will not deny you immediate pain relief. Long term may be another story.
I've never been asked in an ER or dental emergency if I am an addict in 20 years. When I went to my most recent pain doc, I even checked off the history of alcoholism box. Still got percs.
So, I'm not looking forward to needing them, but I also know when I am in high level pain, they don't get me high anyway.
Knowing I'm in the same boat and offering an oar, I remain your humble servant,
Da Stagebear

[nomad1985]

I found one of the things that helped me stay off the opiates was telling my doctor that I did have a problem with them, and then going to the same doctor for everything that went wrong with me. The best way to stay off of the drugs even when you get hurt is to let the doctors know so that they can help you without narcotic pain killers. There are other ways besides opiates to treat pain.

Nomad

[Ten Chips Down]

Originally Posted by Ric

The only thing is if you do get hurt and when the Hospital is doing their intake on you, they always ask "Do you have a history of substance abuse"

If you say Yes, they will likely not treat your pain well or at all. If you say no, your pain will be treated, but your risking your sober life on it.

What a catch 22.

This is incorrect. Hospitals and ERs will always treat addicts for severe pain, and addicts are not risking their lives on that treatment.

Ten

[ccgirl]

Pup; here's a prime example. I fell and injured my neck last fall. My primary care doc knows my history; I told her. She couldn't have been nicer. So, when I went to her she prescribed me and unlimited supply of prescription ibuprofen and sent me to a physical therapist to treat it with heat ultrasound stuff because it was muscle and not bone. She told me if it came down to needing something stronger, she would prescribe it, but would ask that my husband came with me so he could hold the meds.
That way I wouldn't suffer, but someone responsible could be in charge of opiates in the house. She also said I would have to be really, really honest about when the pain decreased so she could wean me off. (She's awesome)

So, no, if you are really suffering, any doc worth their salt that knows your situation will work with it and you to alleviate your suffering.

Ironically, my detox doctor who also holds down a regular family practice told me,unsolicited that if I ever needed strong pain meds in the future, I would have to use Ultram. Hmmm, haven't I heard a lot of stuff from people here with problems with that? Curious.

[StagebearNJ]

Originally Posted by ccgirl

Ironically, my detox doctor who also holds down a regular family practice told me,unsolicited that if I ever needed strong pain meds in the future, I would have to use Ultram. Hmmm, haven't I heard a lot of stuff from people here with problems with that? Curious.

Yup, there are tramadol (Ultram) addicts all over this board. I'm one.
The detox doc is an ill informed moron.
Keeping it real, I remain your humble servant,
Da Stagebear

[Missymae737]

Originally Posted by Summerpup

Question: If I go "on record" - go to a rehab facility or see an addiction counselor - does that mean if I break my leg some day that I won't be allowed pain killers?
Summerpup

Hello Summerpup,

I understand your concern, and your fears.

I have medical issues, and I have some painful days due to these issues
For two years I medicated the pain. I really didn't try HARD enough to seek others means of treatment.

The treatment I chose sent me on a vicious cyle of physical addiction. Narcotics not only killed my physical pain, it helped my emotional pain. This is where you get into trouble. My emotional pain was replaced with feelings of wellbeing. Being in the state of euphoria, you never want to come back to earth. This is not healthy,this is addiction. I have been two months without pain meds and to be honest, yes I do have some painful days. BUT I learned that I don't have to be HIGH to alleviate pain.

That being said, NO, you do not have to live with chronic, severe pain. No one should have to suffer! You just need to exercise caution when you treat this pain with narcotics. As others have said, the medical profession will help you. You need to find a trusted person to monitor your intake of meds if you are prescribed narcotics..


Wishing you a great day!