Addiction Medicine

Addiction medicine focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of people struggling with substance abuse. 

At the Pain Control Center of Pittsburgh, the team of addiction medicine experts primarily treats people who are struggling with opioid dependency or other kinds of drug dependency because of chronic pain. 

There are several signs that you could be struggling with drug dependency, including:

• Frequent cravings
• Taking more medication than you should
• Missing time from work
• Skipping your usual social activities
• Frequent drowsiness
• Erratic sleep patterns
• Weight loss or gain
• Poor personal hygiene
• Financial problems
• Trying to ration medication but failing
• Running out of medication before you should

This is only a short list of the many ways that drug dependency can negatively affect your life. If you feel uncertain about whether you might need help with drug dependency, schedule an addiction medicine evaluation with the friendly experts at the Pain Control Center of Pittsburgh as soon as possible.

The Pain Control Center of Pittsburgh team understands that having a chronic pain-causing condition can be a particular challenge when you’re also dealing with substance abuse. Chronic pain may even be why you have a substance abuse problem and need addiction medicine.

You can’t function normally when you’re constantly in pain. You may become depressed, frustrated, and angry. 

Drugs, like opioids, may provide a quick fix for the pain, but they only work for a short time. Opioids are also extremely habit-forming, and your body quickly grows accustomed to them. In the past, one pill may have managed your pain, but now it may take two, three, or more pills to get that same effect. 

For those reasons, pain management focuses on treating your drug dependency while still relieving your pain. The Pain Control Center of Pittsburgh offers a variety of non-drug options, including:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Joint injections
• Epidural injections
• Nerve block injections
• Botox® for migraines
• Radiofrequency nerve ablation
• Spinal cord stimulator
• Physical therapy
• Osteopathic manipulation
• Massage therapy
• Electrical muscle stimulation 

You don’t need harmful and habit-forming medications to function. A combination of these interventional pain medicine and conservative treatments can decrease the pain, greatly improve your function, and improve your quality of life. 

The team also offers customized drug dependency resources to help you successfully emerge from the other side of addiction. 

Call the Pain Control Center of Pittsburgh office or schedule an assessment online for addiction medicine help now.