The Opioid Crisis: What are Opioids? - a podcast by Discussions with successful health experts such as Ben Greenfield, Terry Wa

What Are Opioids? – Dr. Jason Jones Elizabeth City NC Chiropractor

 

The word opioid covers several categories. Opioids could consist of medications prescribed for alleviating pain, and they can also be illegal drugs such as heroin, synthetic medications that could be downright deadly.

 

The epidemic related to opioid refers to the advancement of both non-prescription and prescription opioid drug utilization for non-medical objectives.

 

In 2015, about 2 million people out of the estimated 20.5 million citizens that had a significant substance abuse disorder experienced a disorder involving prescribed pain relievers. Another 591,000 experienced a disorder that had to do with heroin. And during 2016, 116 individuals died daily from opioid-related drug overdoses.

 

Below is what you need to know concerning opioids, identifying abuse and preventing addiction.

 

What are opioids?

 

Opioids are medications that are typically prescribed to assist in controlling pain, especially after major surgery. The whole group of medications is quite extensive, including synthetic and natural substances.  Opioids break down and integrate with receptors within your brain, which minimizes the perception of pain and also creates feelings of relaxation and euphoria.

 

When are opioids prescribed?

 

Opioids are utilized for treating moderate to critical pain. Pain can be chronic or acute. Acute pain simply means it would only stay for a short time (like surgery-related pain).  Chronic pain, on the other hand, is pain that lasts for a longer time. It happens with diseases such as arthritis or cancer.  Opioids are often seen as a last resort, which means that they are often turned to when other pain therapy and medicines aren’t working.

 

When do opioids become a problem?

 

Whenever opioids are taken over a longer period of time, the dosage required for creating those euphoric feelings tends to increase.   Yet, the different feelings of pleasure gotten from opioids could lead to addiction. Whenever the Opioid does start wearing off, you might crave those pleasurable feelings.

 

 

How do I prevent taking opioids?

 

In case you recently underwent surgery or have severe pain, work closely with your doctor to choose the treatment that is best for you.

 

Work with your doctor to know the best possible options. But if you desire a natural treatment to pains without experiencing any side effects, then you might want to consider Chiropractic or some other non-drug treatment.

 

What can I do to minimize the risks?

                                                                                                   

• Take all your medications according to your doctor’s directions. Never take more than what is prescribed.
• Take opioid drugs for acute pain only for a reasonable time frame, and then stop.
• Keep your appointments, so that your provider can ensure that you are not having any negative or adverse effects and that the medication is working.
• Make sure you tell your provider about all the medications you are taking, including supplements, vitamins, herbal remedies, and over-the-counter medicines.

 

Drug-free option for relieving pain

 

Opioids can completely be avoided if you are scared of the side effects and potential addiction it comes with. You can do this by engaging a Chiropractor such as Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractor Office in Elizabeth City, NC to ensure a drug or opioid-free method for relieving pain.

 

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