Meloxicam Addiction and Treatment

Because it functions in a different way than opioids, it is not addictive. It also does not give a feeling of euphoria or “high,” as opioids and narcotics do.

That being said, it is possible to become dependent on meloxicam for pain relief. People who live with chronic pain, like that caused by various forms of arthritis, may rely on medications like meloxicam rather than implementing lifestyle changes that can help reduce pain.

People who rely solely on medications for pain relief tend to develop a psychological dependence on them, so a person who takes meloxicam for a chronic pain condition may perceive that they can’t function without the medication and may become anxious if they run out. This doesn’t mean that they don’t need the medication to relieve pain and improve function, but that they think that the medication is the only thing that will help them and that they have to have it no matter what.

People who abuse meloxicam do not use it to “get high” because the drug will not work for this purpose. Many still use meloxicam as a pain reliever, just as it is intended, but they use it without a prescription and for purposes other than the treatment of arthritis. People who abuse meloxicam tend to abuse other drugs. Meloxicam may be used to relieve the side effects of other drugs, such as relieving the pain of a hangover after an alcohol binge or the side effects of an opioid as it begins to wear off.

Other people use meloxicam as a pain reliever, but they may take more of the medication than has been prescribed or may take someone else’s prescription for the drug in the belief that, since it is a supposedly safe pain reliever, it will relieve whatever pain they may have. In fact, research designed to measure patterns of NSAID use have found that people are often unaware of the potentially harmful side effects of NSAIDS and that they frequently take both OTC and prescription NSAIDs together, using higher doses than are recommended for those medications.

Eating certain foods and avoiding other foods can help to control inflammation that causes pain. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and fish help to control and reduce levels of inflammation that cause pain. Processed foods, greasy or fatty foods, and sweets tend to increase inflammation and pain.

Moderate exercise helps to keep muscles, nerves, and circulation in good shape, allowing bodily fluids to flow properly and preventing inflammation. Even if pain prevents a person from participating in vigorous exercise or sports, activities like walking, gentle yoga, or water exercise can help to keep the body in shape.

Pain causes stress, and stress causes more pain. This vicious cycle can be broken by using relaxation techniques to reduce tension in the body, which helps to reduce pain.

If pain becomes severe, or if painful conditions flare-up, a course of physical therapy may help to control the pain again. Physical therapists use agents such as heat, cold, or electronic treatments to reduce inflammation and increase blood flow in painful areas. This, combined with specific exercises, can help to reduce pain.

Chronic pain often leads to depression, anxiety, and stress. Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches alternative ways of thinking about pain and alternative methods of coping with pain, helping to alleviate depression and anxiety.