If I Have A History of Drug or Alcohol Abuse, Can I Still Get Good Pain Control?
R.N. Kedziera answers the question: 'Drug history and pain control?'
— -- Question: If I have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, can I still expect to get good pain control?
Answer: If you do have a history of addiction, either to alcohol or to drugs, you still have a right to pain control. We have to be careful. We want to treat you with the utmost caution and care, and involve your counselors or your therapist that are involved in your care every day, but you do deserve pain control. And if we don't give you good pain control, we put you at risk to go back to the bad behaviors because they're the ones you know. You should have good pain control, monitored by your health care team.
Next: Is There Anything Other Than Medication to Help Control Pain After Surgery?