Pain medication addiction could be a cry from emptiness.

Sometimes it is physical pain and other times it is often mental and emotional.



We all understand physical pain, but not everyone experiences the degree of inner pain that can exist in someone’s mind. It could be from fear or the emotion of being defeated.

Pain medication addiction often occurs innocently without the person being aware, and then.......one can't do without it!

I’m going to turn the focus specifically on skin cancer survivors and caregivers.

Some of the most effective healing and support for cancer patients comes from the feeling of being genuinely supported, cared for and loved.

If this is lacking there's an empty spot needing to be filled.

The patient/survivor may seek help or relief through some other means which may be detrimental to the healing process.

We all know that because of the cancer itself or as a result of the treatments, the cancer patient will usually experience pain. The doctor will then prescribe some type of pain medication. The result is RELIEF (to the symptom).

The pain may still be there, but it doesn’t seem so big of a deal anymore because you feel better in your mind. You’ll find yourself being able to enjoy things a little more, maybe even smile and laugh. All problems seem much lighter.

Herein could lay the beginning of pain medication addiction.

Why do I say that? …Because the physical pain may be gone but other mental challenges are still there. They need someone to hold their hand, hug them and let them know they really care. This makes a world of difference!

This really needs to be heard, loud and clear, by all cancer caregivers, whether they are a spouse, another close family member or a friend.

Anyone who is in that circle of support around skin cancer survivors needs to give much thought about the support they provide for this loved one.

It may be quite difficult at times, but you really have to try to put yourself in their experience and treat them like you’d like to be treated, not how you WOULDN’T MIND being treated.

The survivor/patient IS NOT YOU. You are two different people.

So you gather together in your mind all you know about them and have experienced with that person. Gather together everything about them, how they think, what things are most important to them, what makes them smile, laugh and use this to provide support and help for cancer patients.

Is it an appropriate time to deliver a story or say something that would make them laugh?If so, do it!

Let them speak when they have something to say, don’t interrupt, LISTEN and listen closely.

If they perceive that what you’re telling them doesn’t mean a thing to you, you could be feeding their pain medication addiction. You might soon hear them telling you "it’s time for my pain medicine."

What you may not realize is that the person is not experiencing any physical pain. It very well may be the feeling of no one being very sensitive to them and they are hurt emotionally.

Often times they can feel like they're carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders and nobody understands what they're going through.

They seek relief!

Just think that by providing a peaceful environment and genuine support you could help that person to drop that emotional need for pain medication and it won’t become an addiction.

If it's true physical pain, that's a different story, but the fact remains they still need you and whatever help you can give.

You can help the healing process with your support.

Go from Pain Medication Addiction to Support Groups For Cancer
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