The Dangers of Opioids
An opioid addiction may begin innocently enough. A fall at work, a lingering injury from sports or childhood, routine surgery, or an automobile accident may lead to chronic pain, prompting a prescription for pain medication. The pain medication provides relief, but after a while, that person is prescribed more opioids for the same results. Eventually, even the prescribed amount of medication fails to deliver the desired result, so the person seeks even more pain medication.
This cycle is repeated throughout rural and urban America every day. Opioid statistics are truly alarming:
Opioid Statistics:
- More than 130 people die each day from opioid addictions and overdoses.
- 40% of opioid overdoses involved people who had a prescription.
- Between 20 and 30% of people prescribed opioids for chronic pain end up misusing the medications.
- 1,000 patients per day are admitted to the ER for symptoms related to misusing prescription opioids.
- Heroin: 80% of heroin users misused prescription opioids before transitioning to heroin.
- Nearly 2 million people experienced substance use disorders from prescribed opioids.
- 40% of people are addicted to opioids within the first 30 days of use.
The dangers of prescription opioids are real and should arrest our attention. Even for those who are not suffering from opioid misuse and addiction, families and communities are affected by those who are. Nevertheless, for patients suffering from chronic, unyielding pain, the potential dangers are outweighed by the possibility of relief. Chiropractic care may be the drug-free alternative for which people are searching.
Natural Alternatives to Opioids Like Chiropractic Care
Many patients are finding more effective relief from chronic pain through chiropractic care, acupuncture, and physical therapy than they experienced with pain medication. This has prompted some states like Delaware and Ohio to require patients to consider visiting a chiropractor or at least be made aware of natural treatment alternatives before they can receive a prescription for opioids in certain situations.
Why is Chiropractic Care an Effective Alternative?
Prescription pain medication can be effective in dulling the symptoms of chronic pain, but they do not treat the source of the pain. When prescription opioids lose their effectiveness or provide patients other desirable side effects, people may be tempted to misuse them, leading to addiction and overdose.
Licensed chiropractors and physical therapists are medically trained to seek and correct the source of a patient’s pain. From issues related to skeletal alignment to tissue damage, even minor damage can from overuse, accidents, and injuries can become the source of nagging chronic pain. Even those who have suffered from the same pain from years can benefit from natural alternatives to opioids, but seeking chiropractic care, physical therapy, and acupuncture first is preferable.
Asheville Chiropractic Care
The best way to guard against the ill-effects of prescription opioids is to establish a relationship with your local chiropractor before chronic pain develops if at all possible. Even if you are in a minor vehicle or work accident, incur a sports injury, or begin to feel the effects of poor posture habits, do not ignore your body’s signs that you should see your trusted chiropractor.
Kordonowy Chiropractic has decades of experience and has helped countless patients find relief from chronic pain and avoid lingering pain-related issues altogether. We provide X-rays to see the root cause of pain, perform state-of-the-art chiropractic techniques, and help you develop a plan for wellness that includes exercises you can do at home and nutrition advice. If you are battling with chronic pain or want to make sure you avoid it if at all possible, contact Kordonowy Chiropractic and schedule a visit.