Chronic Pain and Painkiller Addiction

Chronic pain and subsequent painkiller addiction are significant issues that many professional athletes have had to confront. Although many people who suffer from chronic pain require ongoing opiate medication, there are a number of others who may be able to manage their pain in other ways. The Professional Athlete Program can help athletes both address pain management issues and substance use disorders that occur independently or as a result of chronic pain. In our Professional Athlete Program, we have specific expertise with the complex intersection of issues that professional athletes confront in treatment.

Hyperalgesia and Effective Pain Management

Research has even shown that taking painkillers over a long period of time can ironically increase an individual’s sensitivity to pain due to a condition called hyperalgesia. Once individuals are in recovery for a period of time, they can find that their pain has decreased significantly or even disappeared completely their body begins producing natural painkilling endorphins at a normal level. However, because individuals experiencing this condition may feel an increased sensitivity to immediately after they stop using painkillers – it is crucial that they have effective pain management program in place to help them through this transition.

An Intensive Evaluation Process

The Professional Athlete Program begins with an intensive evaluation that plays critical role in the effectiveness of our individualized treatment and comprehensive aftercar. Athletes referred to our Professional Athlete Program will undergo a thorough, confidential, and comprehensive evaluation of their unique, personal issues. Individuals with chronic pain problems will undergo an evaluation by a pain specialist to assess their injury and their need for appropriate medication. Those individuals will also undergo an evaluation for their use of pain medications and for the presence or absence of any substance use disorders. This comprehensive evaluation will also seek to uncover any psychosocial issues that require attention as well.

Treatment Specialized for Professional Athletes

The complex relationship that exists between professional athletes and addiction is treated in a specialized, multi-tiered approach at Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches. The Professional Athlete Program encompasses the best of what Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches programs have to offer in addiction treatment, including: pain management, trauma treatment, depression issues, stress management programs, and a comprehensive family week program, among others. A key element of the success of our Professional Athlete Program is the use of former professional athletes to perform outreach services. Our network of professional athletes will make initial contact with the members of the Professional Athlete Program and maintain that contact throughout the continuing care process.

Medical Detox and Assessment

Our Program addresses the medical aspects of addiction by utilizing cutting-edge medical detoxification under the medical Directorship of Louis E Baxter, Sr. M.D., FASAM. Patients undergo a very thorough assessment processes during this phase of treatment. This includes medical, psychiatric, psychological and physical pain assessments, and a battery of Psychological measurements. A complete, personalized treatment plan is based on the results of all of these assessments. Patients are also exposed to education regarding addiction, mental health, and medications during this phase of the treatment process.

Multi-Disciplinary Clinical Services

After a thorough assessment, a targeted multi-disciplinary treatment plan is created that addresses the whole athlete from the psychiatric to the psychological to the physical/pain and emotional aspects targeted for treatment. Special attention is paid to the four significant goals relative to treating the pain component that often underlies a professional athlete’s addiction. Those goals are to: 1.) eliminate the pain where possible, 2.) integrate interventions to reduce the emotional response to pain, 3.) improve the quality of your life, and 4.) improve the quality of your family’s life.

A Diverse Array of Interventions

The professional Athlete Program offers a very wide range of interventions, ranging from allopathic to eastern medicine and encompassing the full breadth of proven psychological techniques. These interventions include:

• Pain Specific Patient Education
• Breathing and Mindfulness Training
• Habit Breaking Techniques
• Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
• Relaxation Therapy
• Coping Skills
• Clinical Hypnosis
• Exercise
• Physical Therapy
• Biofeedback
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Group Therapy
• Family Counseling
• Electro-modalities
• Heat & Ice
• Energy Psychology
• Meditation and Guided Imagery
• Light Sound Neurotherapy
• Schema Therapy
• Individualized Aftercare

Upon completion of the program, state-of-the-art recommendations will be made to expertly address the long-term identified needs of each athlete. Each athlete will receive an individualized aftercare plan devised to address his or her specific issues and needs. Athletes that complete our program and maintain sobriety will also be afforded the opportunity to become peer-counselors through Professional Counselor certificate training. Peer counselors will earn a certificate and be able to follow up with those individuals who complete the program. This fosters a sense of accomplishment and an ongoing support network to keep athletes engaged with their peers.

Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches

Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, Inc. (BHOPB) has successfully treated individuals with substance abuse and pain management issues since 1997. Our continuum of care features the most current treatment interventions and holistic therapies. As one of the few substance abuse programs with its own research department, we are dedicated to the active study, development, and implementation of cutting-edge addiction treatment. We also act as health care benefit advocates to ensure that clients can obtain the treatment that they need and deserve.

Please call us anytime day or night, 24/7 TOLL-FREE at (888) 432-2467 and go back to the life you knew before the drugs took over and changed you into something you swore you would never become when you were growing up.

Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches will you show you how to stop hurting using natural and organic treatments that are free from addiction and potentially dangerous side effects.