Last updated : December 16, 2024
The opioid crisis is ongoing, moreover, fentanyl is being found to varying degrees in every type of confiscated drug, which makes the situation more deadly than ever. Just tiny amounts, likened to a few grains of salt, of this highly addictive synthetic opioid is enough to kill someone.
Drug cartels have no qualms about that, however. It’s cheap to manufacture and adding it to the drug cocktails that are sold as legitimate medication on the streets means more money in their pockets. If the customer overdoses and drops dead, the drugs are marketed to the next addict searching for their fix.
Several synthetic opioids are highly addictive. The huge problem with that is these drugs are often prescribed post-surgery or to patients who suffer from chronic pain. The body builds up a tolerance to them, though, meaning that the user needs to take higher doses if they want to continue experiencing the feelings of euphoria that they induce.
In some cases, a person can find themselves addicted to the substance after finishing one prescription. The medications are expensive, and, more importantly, doctors aren’t writing continued prescriptions for them as they were during the 90s and early 2000s. Once the addict isn’t able to obtain them from reliable sources, they often turn to the streets.
Trading one addiction for another doesn’t help
Synthetic opioids are the most abused drug in the United States. Once addiction sets in though, it can be hard to maintain the habit due to the expense. Oftentimes, users switch to less costly drugs to fulfill their needs.
Drugs such as:
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Crack cocaine
- Tranq
- Other prescription medications, such as amphetamines or barbituates
- Methamphetamine
All of these drugs are highly addictive leaving the addict in a dangerous position because they are only giving up one life-threatening substance for another.
If they don’t start down that road
The medical community doesn’t view synthetic opioids as the end all be all of pain relief any longer. Once it realized that a prescription for a synthetic opioid was putting the patient at risk of becoming addicted to them, refilling prescriptions stopped flowing as freely.
Instead, patients suffering from chronic pain are taken down other avenues to discover what might work best for their lifestyles.
Non-opioid medications used for pain relief include:
- Acetaminophen—This over-the-counter (OTC) medication is the active ingredient in Tylenol. The medication builds up in the user’s system and it’s said that it can relieve a similar amount of pain as an opioid medication.
- NSAID pills—Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat mild to moderate pain. They relieve pain caused by muscle injury, inflammation, arthritis, and back pain.
- OTC NSAIDs include: Ibuprofen, Naproen, and aspirin.
- Celebrex—This newer NSAID is available by prescription only. It neutralizes pain and doubles as an anti-inflammatory medication.
- Anti-epileptic drugs, like those found in Neurontin or Lyrica for instance, are used to treat chronic nerve pain caused by diabetes, shingles, spinal cord injury, or fibromyalgia.
- Antidepressants are sometimes used as effective painkillers. They relieve symptoms of depression, as well, which often occurs when someone suffers chronic pain.
Pain relief with no meds at all
Especially now that the addiction to prescription painkillers is so prevalent across the country, people suffering from chronic pain often fill their days hunkering down and pressing through it to maintain some semblance of a normal lifestyle. In doing so, they sometimes discover that regular exercise can help balance out the way that they feel.
Other medication-free go-to options used include:
- Physical therapy—Known for improving strength and mobility, physical therapy can help heal the body and perhaps reduce pain during the process.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy—A type of psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing negative thought processes and belief patterns.
- Relaxation therapy—Creating a relaxed state involves focusing on feelings of well-being and calmness. Relaxation can reduce blood pressure, oxygen uptake, respiratory frequency, heart frequency, and muscle tension. This type of therapy can reduce stress and relieve anxiety.
- Massage—Research suggests that massage therapy eases low back pain and relieves tension and stress.
- Acupuncture—This Chinese form of treatment works by stimulating specific points on the body that may restore balance and the flow of energy. It’s most commonly used as a pain treatment.
- Biofeedback—It teaches how to be aware of the body’s physiological functions and the way it responds to stress.
- Virtual reality (VR) devices—The calming environment of some VR platforms distract from the pain, thereby, lowering the amount of pain the brain receives.
If all else fails though
Trying to manage pain without using opioid medications is the wisest choice, of course, but living with chronic pain can lower someone’s quality of life. There are times when your doctor may recommend taking an opioid medication. They will prescribe it in the lowest possible dose over a short time.
Some instances when you might ask your doctor about a prescription medication to deal with your pain might include:
- It interferes with your going to work or school.
- You can’t complete normal household chores
- You are unable to care for children or pets
- It’s hard to complete daily hygiene tasks.
- Your pain prevents you from participating in hobbies or other activities you enjoy.
Living with chronic pain is a challenge and the temptation to “take a pill so it all goes away” can be strong sometimes. However, finding other ways to deal with your pain management is far healthier for you in the long run. Mainly because drug addiction causes lives to be destroyed in many ways. You don’t want to find yourself walking those roads one day.
Not ever.
