Are you familiar with the Opioid Epidemic?
This article represents a sample of the debate going on now within the medical community regarding the usage of opioid medication for the management of chronic pain. Recent data as evidenced by the 160,000 deaths per year demonstrates that we have had not had enough controls and regulations to minimize the potential dangerous risk associated with these medications. We also know that there are many patients who benefit from opioid medication as a tool to manage their pain when used in a proper fashion. We as pain management physicians must continue to educate and inform patients about the risks and proper usage of these medications. We need to continue to look for and research alternative methods to manage pain. We need to continue use these medications only after all other measures have failed. We need to understand this form of treatment is not for everybody as is the case for any other type of treatment.
A ‘civil war’ over painkillers rips apart the medical community — and leaves patients in fear
