Pain management is a huge industry. And while pain medications –
namely opioids – can be an important part of a pain management plan, too
many times patients become depend on certain types of these medications
and the consequences can be devastating. The fact that these
painkillers work well with little effort makes them an easy choice.
Rather than exploring other ways of managing pain, many people reach
for another pill.
The issue of painkiller addiction is all over the news these days and that is no surprise. Prescriptions for opioids – such as Oxycontin and codeine – have increased more than 10 times since 1990. Even more disturbing – but certainly not surprising – is that the number of people addicted to painkillers is also on the rise. A 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that nearly two million Americans were dependent on, or abusing, prescription pain relievers and that number is expected to continue to rise.
The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians states that Americans are the world’s largest consumers of opiates each year. While these drugs are legal when prescribed by a doctor, many people believe they are over-prescribed. And even when they are legally prescribed, many individuals over-medicate themselves. Such prescription drug abuse leads to approximately 15,000 deaths every year. According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2007 opioid painkiller addiction was more common than abuse of or dependence on any other type of prescription drug.
In its clinical guidelines for prescribing opioids, the American Pain Society notes that the most significant risk factor for developing a painkiller addiction is a personal or family history of an alcohol or other substance abuse disorder. However, many patients are not aware of a family history or propensity toward substance abuse. Prolonged exposure to these drugs also is a factor in addiction. This is particularly troublesome since painkillers are often prescribed to patients with chronic pain that is less likely to go away over time.
Another important although little known fact about painkillers is that the longer a patient uses painkillers, the more the patient feels like they need them. This phenomenon is called hyperalgesia. Hyperalgesia actually increases a patient’s pain sensitivity because chronic, long-term use of opiate painkillers causes a decrease in the ability to tolerate pain, and an increase in the sensitivity to pain.
Doctors, patients, and health professionals all agree that other pain management techniques must be used instead of, or in combination with, prescription painkillers to combat the staggering rate of addiction. These techniques can include ultrasound, TENS therapy, hot and cold treatment, massage, biofeedback, massage, and many more.
The issue of painkiller addiction is all over the news these days and that is no surprise. Prescriptions for opioids – such as Oxycontin and codeine – have increased more than 10 times since 1990. Even more disturbing – but certainly not surprising – is that the number of people addicted to painkillers is also on the rise. A 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that nearly two million Americans were dependent on, or abusing, prescription pain relievers and that number is expected to continue to rise.
The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians states that Americans are the world’s largest consumers of opiates each year. While these drugs are legal when prescribed by a doctor, many people believe they are over-prescribed. And even when they are legally prescribed, many individuals over-medicate themselves. Such prescription drug abuse leads to approximately 15,000 deaths every year. According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2007 opioid painkiller addiction was more common than abuse of or dependence on any other type of prescription drug.
In its clinical guidelines for prescribing opioids, the American Pain Society notes that the most significant risk factor for developing a painkiller addiction is a personal or family history of an alcohol or other substance abuse disorder. However, many patients are not aware of a family history or propensity toward substance abuse. Prolonged exposure to these drugs also is a factor in addiction. This is particularly troublesome since painkillers are often prescribed to patients with chronic pain that is less likely to go away over time.
Another important although little known fact about painkillers is that the longer a patient uses painkillers, the more the patient feels like they need them. This phenomenon is called hyperalgesia. Hyperalgesia actually increases a patient’s pain sensitivity because chronic, long-term use of opiate painkillers causes a decrease in the ability to tolerate pain, and an increase in the sensitivity to pain.
Doctors, patients, and health professionals all agree that other pain management techniques must be used instead of, or in combination with, prescription painkillers to combat the staggering rate of addiction. These techniques can include ultrasound, TENS therapy, hot and cold treatment, massage, biofeedback, massage, and many more.
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