The opioid addiction epidemic in the United States is claiming more lives than guns or cars. Today, fatal overdoses exceed deaths by shooting rampages and road fatalities across the country. According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM), millions suffer from chronic pain each year, leading to a skyrocketing rise in healthcare and rehabilitation costs and a steep decline in productivity. The need of the hour is to understand the nationwide chronic pain problem, and the detrimental impact of medications used to treat the condition.
Analgesics, such as codeine and morphine, and prescription drugs, like Vicodin and OxyContin, work wonders in numbing the intense pain signals by inhibiting the neuron cell receptors in the brain. But the neuron cell or opioid receptors that respond to pain signals also regulate emotional impulses, such as feelings of euphoria, urges to get high and the desire for reward. Such a correlation increases the risk of addiction.
Knowing factors that fuel opioid addiction epidemic
A habitual drug use may produce noticeable behavioral or personality changes, including irritability, restlessness and anxiety. Several factors are responsible for the rampant use of opioids among Americans, some of which are:
Easy availability of drugs: Medical practitioners and doctors prescribe a variety of addictive drugs, such as pain relievers, relaxants, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications to patients. While they prove to be beneficial to some, there are others who do not need such drugs. They generally tend to leave unused portions in their medicine cabinet, which can be easily obtained and abused by anyone.
False notion of security: Normally, first-time drug abusers assume that anything prescribed by a registered physician is safe to use. This could lead to potential abuse, as they might not be aware of the side effects of prescription drugs.
Legitimate pain leading to addiction: Even after experiencing healing, there are many who find it tough to quit prescription painkillers as they are addicted to these drugs. There are others who need larger doses as they tend to develop tolerance to the medicine.
Tips to minimize addiction to opioids
The body of a person with drug addiction problem builds a tolerance to the increased levels of dopamine, causing long-term changes in the brain's reward system. Drug dependence can have far-reaching impacts, affecting almost every organ in the human body. But, certain self-help strategies can help combat the urge.
Identifying vulnerability levels: Before prescribing any medications to manage pain, doctors must weigh the factors that could lead to addiction, such as family history of addiction to various substances or a history of mood and personality disorders.
Considering alternative options: Those susceptible to addiction should be recommended other alternatives to manage pain, such as physical therapy, psychotherapy, acupuncture, tai chi and other non-opiate medications.
Using medications as directed: Care should be taken not to misuse medications as a coping tool for unrelated problems.
Seeking help: Addiction to medications is highly unpredictable. Advice from a specialized doctor can help eliminate any kind of addiction.
Storing medications safely: Keeping opiates away from the reach of others, including children, teenagers or adults, can help avoid their misuse.
The way forward
An addiction may interfere with an individual's ability to make decisions and can lead to frequent cravings. This is when a person needs professional help to get rid of this devastating habit and lead a normal life.
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