Help Stop The Opioid Epidemic
How Bad is The “Opidemic?”
Every American has been affected by the Great American Opioid Epidemic in one way or another, whether it’s by losing a loved one, as a victim of a crime committed in its wake, or from family heartache caused by its devastation.
- Almost 1 in every 20 Americans have used illicit drugs in the past month.
- In the US, almost a million people have died since 1999 from drug overdoses.
- In Utah, 437 drug overdose deaths involved opioids in 2018.
- There were almost 100.000 drug overdose deaths reported in the US in 2020, and that number is increasing rapidly with the increased prevalence of fentanyl and other street drugs.
What factors determine whether a person will become addicted to drugs or opioids?
- Introduction to any addictive substances like tobacco, alcohol, or marijuana, etc before age 25. This is because the brain does not finish forming until age 25. Addiction almost always begin before age 25.
- Presence of anxiety, depression or other mental illness.
- History of childhood emotional trauma.
- Other physical, genetic, psychological, cultural, and emotional factors which are not fully understood yet.
Are There Alternatives to Opiods for Pain Treatment?
YES! A great many people are able to get relief with some or all of these suggestions:
- Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, celebrex, toradol, diclofenac, etc.
- Steroids, given orally or injected into the painful area.
- Joint injections or spine injections with steroids or restorative agents.
- Topical pain creams or patches (name brand preparations, or specially made concoctions made for you by the pharmacist).
- Muscle relaxants
- Antidepressants which lessen the sensation of pain like cymbalta, venlafaxine, and amitriptyline.
- Anti seizure meds which decrease nerve firing (Gabapentin, Lyrica, Depakote, or Topamax).
- Botox, especially for headaches, but also for chronic muscle spasming in the neck or extremities.
- EMS (electrical muscle stimulation).
- TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) which often immediately alleviates pain and promotes healing.
- Physical therapy and strengthening of muscles which support weight bearing joints and the spine.
- Exercise in general to increase the body’s natural endorphin release.
- Counseling to identify and address triggers to pain, fear, anxiety.
- Anti-inflammatory diets which naturally decrease the body’s inflammatory substance production.
- Ketamine treatments!
Get Help Now!
If you or someone you love are struggling with opioid or any other kind of substance abuse, or want to explore non-opioid options for chronic pain control, have them get help by calling and making an appointment at Promise Medical today!
