Not too long before I was set to have my back surgery, I ran across a few news articles based on fresh scientific research. One study said that opioids were not as successful at treating pain than non-opiate pills. It said that over the counter pills like acetaminophen or even topical prescription drugs caused fewer side effects and a better pain scale rating then hydrocodone, Vicodin, and other big selling pain killers.1 And I happened upon another article that explored recent research that says that opioids actually make pain worse – over time, they increase your pain sensitivity so that slighter and slighter discomforts have you reaching for the pill bottle.2 Then after my surgery, I learned that with only a 10-day prescription for opioids, 20% of people become long-term users or addicts. That’s 1 in 5 people!3
[1] https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/06/590837914/opioids-dont-beat-other-medications-for-chronic-pain
[2] https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/03/586621236/when-opioids-make-pain-worse
[3] https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/03/with-a-10-day-supply-of-opioids-1-in-5-become-long-term-users/