Can Alcoholics Take Prescription Pain Medication in Recovery?

Is it okay to take prescription pain medication when you're a recovering alcoholic or addict? Does getting sober mean you can never take a drug of any kind for the rest of your life?

Some recovering addicts are so dedicated to living clean and sober that they eliminate all mood-altering drugs or substances from their lives -- including caffeine and psychological medications. These men and women are cognizant that their addiction can manifest in a dozen different ways.

All Drugs are Addictive -- Even When Prescribed

I never abused pills (or drugs of any kind) but that didn't stop me from breaking down into hysterics when prescribed a narcotic medication after severely injuring my shoulder after four years of sobriety.

I didn't know what to do. I was in excruciating pain throughout the day and night, unable to sleep more than two hours at a time, and was still too afraid to take the medicine prescribed by my doctor.

In the previous four years, I had heard horrible stories of people "going back out" as a result of taking prescribed medication. I heard of one woman relapsing on mouthwash and others who fell off the wagon after taking over-the-counter cold medicine.

So the idea of taking a hard-core narcotic terrified me. I questioned my motives, tried to gauge my pain levels, and determined whether or not it was really necessary. Even though I had never used pills to get loaded when active in my alcoholism, I knew that I could very easily become addicted to pain medication.

Prescriptions Exist for a Reason

Terrified by the power I knew these medicines held, I decided to call a trusted friend with more sobriety time than me. My friend reminded me that, first of all, I was not a medical doctor (M.D.). If an M.D. saw my condition to be serious enough to warrant prescription pain medicine then the pain was certainly severe enough.

Second, we discussed the difference between taking pain pills as prescribed for pain management and taking them to get high (not as prescribed). The best guideline for this is observing whether or not I am following the directions printed on the label. If I am following the dosage described, then I am not abusing the medicine. Plain and simple.

We discussed various precautions I could take:

• Asking a friend to administer the medicine at specified times
• Ensuring my doctor gave me the least potent and addictive prescription possible
• Calling my doctor if my pain increased -- instead of just taking more medicine
• Checking in with a friend each day and telling him/her if I'm taking the right dosage
• Attending recovery meetings or listening to recorded speeches to keep recovery at the front of my mind

Third, she pointed out that my pain was so severe that it was a drain on my quality of life. I didn't get sober to suffer more. I got sober to live a more fulfilled and balanced life -- and for me, sometimes that means following my doctor's orders and taking medicine that is prescribed to me.

Photo courtesy of Phil Date | Dreamstime Stock Photos.

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