Last week we spoke about the importance of avoiding opioids for pain management. Since then, there has been more buzz on this topic. New laws will encourage patients dealing with pain to seek out natural routes such as those at ProCare Health & Rehab Centers.
The opioid crisis:
Powerful painkillers, called opioids, kill more than 115 people a day in the United States. In 2016, over 42,000 people died from opioids. This was five times more than in 1999.
The reason for this is complicated. Since then, we’ve seen the painkillers become available in pill form. This caused many doctors to give patients more pills than they need. Dr. Edgar Ross is the senior clinician at the Pain Management Center at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Ross says the extra pills are sold or stolen creating hostile environments for cities.
Three states have taken a serious new approach to the crisis. Florida, Michigan, and Tennessee recently have joined over 24 other states to attack the opioid crisis. The rule now limits the amount of pills doctors can prescribe for temporary, or acute, pain from surgery, injury, or illness.
Opioids prescribed for pain management:
Doctors often prescribe opioids for sudden injuries such as car accident injuries. They are also used for long-term pain caused by cancer or back issues. There are illegal and legal opioids contributing to the opioid crisis.
The legal opioids include oxycodone ( Oxocontin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and fentanyl. Those three are all legal and prescribed.
The illegal opioids include heroin and illegally manufactured fentanyl. The drugs reduces the body’s discomfort which long-term causes addiction. This is why doctors such as those at ProCare urge patients to seek medical attention from doctors familiar with car accident injuries.
Long-term use of opioids can lead to a miserable cycle. They may lead people in pain to addiction, overdose, or death. ProCare doctors intend on taking care of their patients and relieving pain with safer therapies.
New laws fighting the United States’ crisis:
Although, opioid laws vary depending which state you are in, most exempt the use for chronic pain. For example, patients with long-term illness or hospice care would be exempt. For acute pain, the initial prescription is for seven days.
In Florida, the initial prescription is only three days. Dr. Ross says one week is a sufficient supply for acute pain following surgery. Doctors are now required to do more legwork for prescribing opioids to prevent the crisis from growing.
In Florida, changes have been impressive. Doctors and pharmacists are required to take courses on opioid prescription. In addition, doctors are required to consult a drug database before prescribing medication to confirm the patient does not already have a prescription.
In Massachusetts, it’s more advanced. Doctors can check the registry to see who else prescribed the opioid. But there are downfalls as there aren’t electronic records. For weekend prescriptions, it can be extremely complicated.
Doctors report there isn’t enough evidence yet, but the numbers are encouraging. Massachusetts’ opioid legislation was signed in March 2016. Since then, the overdose death rate has decreased 8.3% in 2017. This is the first ever decrease since the beginning of the opioid crisis!
If you are having surgery or experience an injury:
If you have pain from a car accident injury or plan to have surgery, discuss pain management with your doctor. Find out which painkiller you will be prescribed. Discuss it thoroughly with your doctor until you are comfortable with the decision.
Non-opioid pain relief:
If you are expected to have a painful recovery, discuss options with your doctor. Physicians at ProCare advise chiropractic methods or active isolated stretching. Physical therapy is an incredible alternative to painkillers.
Doctors make a treatment plan specific to your injuries with healing in mind. Pain management is only half of the issue. Healing and encouraging your body to heal correctly is priority.
Acupuncture and cold-laser therapy are options for pain management. About ten percent of the time after an illness or injury, pain often persists for years after the initial episode. Schedule an appointment today to discuss how to manage your pain and plan your recovery after a car accident.
Thank you for reading this week’s blog. We value the importance of choosing a plan that suits you and your future. Contact ProCare Health & Rehab Centers today to get the help you need!
Staff Writer
