As the fight against addiction continues, opioid alternatives continue to rise. Meloxicam is a prescription anti-inflammatory medication that could help those with chronic pain. However, when it comes to Meloxicam addiction rates, there’s a lot that remains unknown. While meloxicam isn’t a known street drug, many people are receiving legit prescriptions for it without the proper management, which leads to misuse and potential abuse.
What is Meloxicam?
Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or an anti-inflammatory medication. Most people know NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. However, meloxicam is not like that. Although this isn’t a controlled substance or narcotic, people still need a prescription to obtain it. Mostly because it’s a high-concentrate NSAID that can be harmful to some people.
Meloxicam is the generic drug name. Brand-names are Mobic and Vivlodex. In Canada, the brand name is Mobicox. Other words include Metacam, Loxicom, Orocam, and Meloxidyl.
What is it Used For?
Overall, meloxicam helps treat inflammation and offer pain relief. Officially, meloxicam is only approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. It’s also used for off-label uses, such as to treat pain and inflammation after surgery.
Is Meloxicam Addictive or Not?
Meloxicam’s works don’t make it addictive since it doesn’t alter the brain’s rewards system. However, as with any drug, there’s the possibility of misuse. People can quickly become addicted to the way they feel when their pain is reduced.
Of course, physical and psychological dependence on meloxicam is not as dangerous or severe as other drugs. Nonetheless, substance use disorder is a concern that can lead to more destructive behaviors. As an NSAID, Meloxicam doesn’t produce any euphoric high associated with other pain medications. Still, high doses of meloxicam can damage the gastrointestinal tract and could lead to internal bleeding.
Meloxicam Side Effects
While meloxicam doesn’t lead to addiction, its misuse carries plenty of side effects. What makes meloxicam different from other NSAIDs is its high-dose. So far, there’s a known risk of kidney function problems, particularly among elderly patients and anyone with kidney problems.
Additionally, most anti-inflammatory drugs also increase the risk of deadly heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular conditions. Anyone with a high risk for these conditions should worry about meloxicam at all costs. Additionally, Meloxicam patients can also experience side effects to their central nervous system (CNS), including drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision.
Safer than Opioids?
Overall, meloxicam seems to be a safer alternative to opioids and other prescription painkillers. Some studies are looking into the possibility of choosing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like meloxicam in pain management.
A 2018 study published in JAMA on the topic of “opioid versus nonopioid medications” in patients who have chronic pain in their backs, knees, or hips found that patients who took opioid painkillers for the study did not have better results than patients who were assigned opioid alternatives, like meloxicam. After a year, the opioid group still reported slightly higher pain levels than patients in the nonopioid group.
The issue with drugs like meloxicam is that they could work as getaway drugs for stronger choices. For example, those who enjoy meloxicam’s mild benefits could look for more potent prescription opioids to ease their pain. This is why, even though the potential for Meloxicam addiction is virtually nonexistent, the FDA still advises doctors against prescribing it to patients with a high risk for developing a psychological dependence on any psychoactive medication.
Finding Help for Addiction
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse disorders, please contact us today. Whether that involves a complete drug and alcohol detox process, intensive outpatient treatment, or continuous aftercare support, we’ll do everything in our power to help you beat this chronic disease.
Drug and Alcohol Detox
The first step toward recovery is detox. When people start mixing trazodone and alcohol, attempting to quit independently can experience side effects that can be life-threatening. To avoid overdose and fatal withdrawal symptoms like seizures, checking into a detox rehab center is paramount. With supervision from a medical professional, recovering drug addicts can have a better chance of sobriety.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Rehab
After detox, most patients will move either to an inpatient treatment program that offers structure and support 24/7. Others, mostly those with less severe addictions, might be able to choose an intensive outpatient program that provides more flexibility so that they can continue daily responsibilities like work, school, and family.
Group Therapy
Part of most drug and alcohol rehab programs incorporate group therapy sessions. The setting is meant to encourage support, a sober-friendly network, and to offer a safe space to voice struggles, concerns, and hopes. Through group therapies, patients also attend 12-step programs to continue their path to sobriety.
Aftercare Recovery Programs
Unfortunately, addiction is a life-long condition. Aftercare recovery programs offer continuing support once people leave a rehab facility. Here, patients focus on building life development skills that help them integrate back into society. Most people keep working on relapse prevention coping mechanisms that allow them to sustain long-term sobriety.
Remain on high alert about the classic signs someone is struggling with an addiction. Sometimes, high-functioning addicts can seem fine on the outside but are truly struggling inside.
At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, our addiction treatment specialists can help you find the best treatment program for your unique needs. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter treatment plans, which is why we look at each case on an individual basis and do our absolute best to accommodate your needs to help your recovery journey.
