15 Sep Opioids – A Brief Overview
Opioids are a type of narcotic pain medication. They can have serious side effects if not used correctly. Learn some facts about opioids:
Most Opioids Are Legal By Prescription
Even though opioids carry a bad reputation, all but one (heroin) are legal in the U.S. Opioid drugs like methadone and oxycodone are sometimes necessary for pain relief and legal by prescription.
Humans Will Become Tolerant Of Opiates If Given Unlimited Access
It doesn’t matter who you are. If you were to be given an opioid with unrestricted access, your body would become tolerant and physically dependent on it. In fact, if you’ve ever taken an opioid for any kind of medical problem, you may have noticed that in that very short time, you became tolerant on the drug. Addiction, however, involves the compulsive use of the drug.
The Reason Why People Die From Heroin Is Because Of Respiratory Distress
Most people who die from a heroin overdose do so because of respiratory distress. The drug makes you sleepy and calm, but if you take too much, you can actually fall asleep and stop breathing. This happens because the respiratory system shuts down. A heroin overdose can also cause your blood pressure to drop and your heart to fail.
The More Opioids That Are Prescribed, The More Deaths There Are
When prescription opioids go up, deaths go up. When they go down, deaths go down as well. According to a report from the CDC, there are 46 deaths each day from prescription drugs. The Southern states have the biggest problem, but the rest of the country isn’t much better. Prescription opioids kill twice as many people as heroin and cocaine combined. That’s a scary fact.
Some common opioids used for chronic pain relief by prescription are:
- Fentanyl
- Codeine
- Hydro codons
- Methadone
- Demerol
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
Preventing Opioid Addiction at Integrated Pain Consultants
If you are experiencing chronic pain, Pain Medication can be part of the solution, but it is not THE solution. Integrated Pain Consultants has a staff of highly trained, board certified physicians that can help you find relief. With many therapeutic and analgesic options, IPM can help you find your way to a pain-free existence. By calling us at (480) 626-2552 or quickly booking an appointment online, we will reserve a private consultation for a detailed evaluation of your pain and what led up to it. We can help. We also invite you to learn more about Dr. Nikesh Seth and other providers including Dr. Anne-Marie Cosijns, Dr. Lisa Sparks, Dr. Michael Givens, and our team of Nurse Practitioners.