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Pain Medication Addiction and Natural Alternatives

 

In the United States, we face a grave future in terms of the prospects of medical care and the use of pharmaceuticals to manage certain conditions. Pain management is usually enacted with the use of pharmaceuticals, specifically a type of drug called opioids. These medications are closely related to opiates, such as heroin and other similar controlled substances, but they are slightly altered in terms of their chemical structure.

Opioids usually have a percentage of over-the-counter medication, such as acetaminophen, in combination with the more active component. Common opioids that are used in the process of pain management include codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, and oxycodone.

One of the more dangerous aspects of opioids is the high propensity for addiction to develop. When we think of opiates, we are reminded of the high power that these drugs have over people in terms of forming instant dependence on the drug. When an individual does heroin for the first time, there is over a 90% chance for addiction to develop as dependence is formed almost instantly in many cases.

Although opioids are slightly different from these addictive drugs in terms of their chemical structure, the propensity to develop addiction to opioids is almost equal. Thus, we see so many individuals across the country developing a high dependence on opioids. Whether an individual has undergone surgery or is simply is just using pain medication to improve the outcomes of their chronic pain conditions, so many doctors over prescribe opioids to the point where the patient is reliant on the opioids.

The chiropractic care community views opioid in an extremely negative light as the holistic approach and the alternative medicine values of chiropractic care staunchly oppose the use of any type of drugs in treatment. Opioids only last for roughly 4-6 hours at a time, so the need to reuse these medications on a regular basis is quite high, leading to addiction at a much faster rate. The benefits of chiropractic care have much more longevity and in some cases can last for the rest of the patient’s life.

 

Story Credit

Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Christian Schnettelker

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