Opioids Now Most Prescribed Class of Medications in America

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Budisti

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Quote from article:
The JAMA Research Report shows that there has been a drastic increase in opioid prescriptions while prescriptions for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have gone down. Prescriptions for hydrocodone and oxycodone account for 84.9 percent of opioid prescriptions. Over ten years, there has been a fivefold increase in admissions to substance abuse programs for opioid addiction.

Full article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110405161906.htm
 
^^ yeah for real.. How can they tell pain patients its OK to take benzo's and opiates but GOD FORBID if they test positive for marijuana!!! fucking ridiculous that the two most insidious addictions (Benzo and Opiate) are considered 'safer' then ganja!!
 
Not to say opiate addiction is as safe as smoking pot, but it's not really bad for you unless you OD. It's pretty much nontoxic to every organ in the body. Worst effects on the body is constipation and maybe the inability to pee when high, but other than that, the only real problems come from the fact that most people who are addicted have to seek it out in the black market and risk legal issues. I won't comment on benzos, but they have the risk of doing stupid shit when blacked out and seizures upon w/d, so they're def worse than opiates and pot imo.

I am in now way saying that opiate addiction is as harmless as smoking pot, so please no one get me wrong. I'm just saying that the real wrong here is that we prescribe 1001 prescription opiates as if they were candy, but then demonize those who use heroin or buy these pills on the street.
 
I am not saying that OPIATE addiction is toxic or particularly bad for those who know how to use opiates responsibly. The PROBLEM comes when you RUN OUT of opiates and experience withdrawal symptoms. In my mind I don't think anyone should care what substances someone else is putting into their bodies. Don't punish people for using 'illegal' substances b/c oh "they lead to crime." Ok well if they DO lead to CRIME then punish those people for the fucking CRIMES they commit against society! But to lock up and put another human into a cage because they are using a SUBSTANCE (i don't like the word DRUG) that our gov't says is illegal is just fucking EVIL. But to get back to the point of opiates, yes they are perfectly fine as long as you have them everyday to take, just like a vitamin that you need to take everyday.. I mean i know there are lots of people that function normally on opiates, its just when they run out or can't get any is when the problems come.. ya see what I am saying?
 
Pain control is a legitimate medical condition that needs to be addressed, but there are downsides to all the available options.

There is emerging evidence suggesting that all NSAIDs increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and death when taken long term (this problem is no longer considered specific to COX2 inhibitors, such as Vioxx, as was previously thought). It's an established fact that NSAIDs are associated with ulcers and internal bleeding. Also, NSAIDs are not suitable for treating many kinds of pain, both chronic and especially acute pain.

Opioids, while in many cases are far more effective than NSAIDs and their long history of use seems to imply they are not particularly toxic to internal organs when taken long term, carry problems that cannot be ignored. Namely, the risk of abuse, addiction and acute overdose. But, they really are the best solution at the moment for alleviating patient's suffering from pain IMO. I think the benefit they offer legit patients outweighs the problem of people gaming the system for nefarious use.

I actually think doctors should go one step further, and stop prescribing opioids mixed with acetaminophen. It is known to be toxic to the liver and many people needlessly injure themselves taking these pills for the opioids contained in them unaware of the risk it poses. Since it fails to discourage abuse as intended, and actively is harming people, it really should be abandoned. If a doctor feels it's in the patients best interest to take it with an opioid, they can take a separate Tylenol pill then.

I feel this trend towards using opioids instead of NSAIDs is a natural course correction. NSAIDs were very profitable for the pharmaceutical companies, and I think they used their influence and money to push doctors to over prescribe them. As it becomes more clear that risks of NSAIDs outweigh the benefits to many patients, doctors are returning to the known, standard line of treatment: opioids.
 
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