For millions of Americans living with chronic illness, every day is a balancing act – managing pain, remembering to take their medications and trying to maintain their quality of life. But when health conditions like diabetes, cancer, arthritis or fibromyalgia overlap with substance use, the path forward becomes even more complex. At Hemet Valley Recovery Center and Sage Retreat, we empathize with this problem and know what it takes to solve it.
As an accredited hospital offering comprehensive dual-diagnosis treatment, HVRC is in a unique position to care for clients dealing with the effects of physical illness and addiction – especially those struggling with the unintended consequences of long-term pain management.
How Chronic Illness and Addiction Overlap
People living with chronic conditions often experience:
- Persistent pain or discomfort
- Functional limitations and fatigue
- Emotional distress and isolation
- A reliance on prescription medications for symptom relief
Over time, the physical burden of disease can cause or worsen mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Some people begin misusing prescription drugs, use alcohol to cope or become overly reliant on medications like opioids or benzodiazepines.
People living with chronic pain who develop a tolerance to their medications will ultimately notice their prescribed doses no longer provide relief. They may feel trapped – unable to function without pain pills, yet increasingly aware that their use has become harmful.
Specialized Chronic Pain Program
Hemet Valley Recovery Center’s chronic pain program supports clients who have relied on narcotic analgesics as their primary pain management strategy – often for years. People who become physically and psychologically dependent on drugs such as opioids need ever-higher doses to achieve the same effect, increasing their risk for addiction and severe health consequences. Over time, high doses may no longer work at all – and instead cause side effects like sedation, emotional numbing and depression.
Many standard drug treatment programs cannot deal with chronic pain, while pain clinics often don’t recognize the signs of addiction. Our hospital-based programming fills that gap by supporting clients with overlapping medical and substance use needs.
- Medically supervised detoxification that eases withdrawal symptoms and safeguards against breakthrough pain
- Integrated chronic pain management that does not rely on opioid medications
- Individualized therapy and group support tailored to the emotional impact of chronic illness
- Alternative pain management strategies, including physical therapy, movement therapies, mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral tools
Why Co-Occurring Conditions Require Integrated, Hospital-Based Treatment
When chronic illness and substance use collide, you need a multidisciplinary medical team that understands the nuances of both conditions. We’ll work closely with your prescribing physician to determine whether it’s time for a change – and if so, how to safely and effectively transition to a more sustainable treatment plan.
HVRC’s accreditation means:
- Our staff includes board-certified physicians, addiction specialists and nurses trained in addiction medicine and general internal medicine.
- We can monitor and treat underlying health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cancer-related symptoms.
- We offer 24-hour clinical supervision, ensuring safety throughout the detox and stabilization process.
- We create customized, holistic care plans.
You Don’t Have to Choose Between Relief and Recovery
Becoming dependent on pain medication isn’t a weakness or moral failure. It means you’ve been trying to survive a difficult situation with the tools you had available. We’ll help you replace harmful habits with sustainable healing practices, giving you the structure and support you need to reclaim your life.
Our chronic pain and addiction treatment program will help you safely reduce or eliminate dependence on narcotic medications – without sacrificing your quality of life. Contact us today to verify your insurance coverage and learn more about starting your recovery in a safe, hospital-based facility.