Opioid Overmedication and Deaths
Chronic pain is one of the most difficult issues a person can face. Diagnosis with long-term symptoms and side effects such as cancer or degenerative disc disease often lead to increased pain levels over time. This pain can become unbearable either due to intensity or endurance and a person will often look for some type of relief in the form of pain medication. While the dangers of additions are widely known, there is still the possibility for someone to become dependent upon or abuse these medications, particularly those in the opioid family. Because the statistics for overdose and fatal overdose are staggering, it is essential that proper attention be given to this issue.
A study from 2016 by The New York Times estimated American deaths from overdosing on opioids surpassed 59,000 in 2016. The heroin and opiate epidemic is continuing to grow in scale and drugs are now killing more people in the U.S. than car crashes.
Living With Pain
Quality of life becomes an issue for those suffering with unbearable pain and chronic pain. In an effort to find relief, particularly if one has become accustomed to using a very strong pain killer, they may inadvertently downplay or even overlook the danger of overdosing. Because each person’s experiences with pain medication vary, based on personal tolerance, bio-chemistry, genetics, and other medical factors, it is important not to take medications, particularly opioids, that are not prescribed by a physician. are often the only way for pain sufferers to get relief, but it is important that they be given with care, as they work differently from patient to patient and can lead to other issues, including death.
Living in pain is not necessary to combat overmedication, but it is important to be honest with your healthcare team about your pain level and how much medication you take. This gives them the information they need to change/modify your prescription regimen to give you the most relief possible. Take charge of your own medications or those of your loved one to be sure they are being taken correctly to prevent other medication issues or accidental overdose.
Some ways that you can protect yourself from overmedication are:
- Be sure you follow directions given to you by the doctor, pharmacist or on your prescription label carefully.
- Never take opioids with alcohol or drugs not prescribed by your physician.
- Don’t stop taking a medication or change how to take it without getting input from your physician.
- Store all medications safely.
- Don’t use anyone else’s medicine and don’t give yours away.
These 5 tips can be essential to helping you prevent overmedication in your life and in that of your loved one. Don’t be afraid to communicate, ask questions, and get help. With a team approach, you can stay healthy and keep your loved one healthy for years to come.
In treating pain, opioids can be used safely if enough attention and care is given when prescribing and taking them. This means that the healthcare providers need to do their due diligence in prescribing opioids for pain control. Some ways to ensure the proper distribution of these strong drugs are regular physician appointments to monitor the effect of the medications, and regular urine/blood tests to measure the levels of opioids in a person’s system. A healthcare team that you can trust is one of the first and best ways to combat opioid overmedication. Curus can help an individual find the best team to oversee their healthcare including a pain management specialist.
