There ’s no easy way out of the opioid epidemic

Across the United States at least forty people die each day from overdosing on opioids like Vicodin, codeine, heroin, and oxycontin. Seven percent of drivers who died in car crashes last year were found to have prescription opioids in their systems — seven times more than in 1995. Considering these alarming rates of overdosing and DUIs, this is serious business. Authorities view it in their traditional way: the problem is drugs. Thus doctors should curtail prescribing, and patients should clean up and go through rehab. But the situation’s less about drugs than, frankly, rampant suicide. These drugs’ risks — legal hassles, family miseries, and very possible lethal overdose — are so notorious that users would need to be in abject despair. Yes, people can be in that much pain, yet we obsess about these mindless chemicals instead. Hardly anyone asks, “Why do we need all these painkillers, anyway?” Or, put another way, “Why is there more pain than ever in America?” Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Physician Pain Management Psychiatry Source Type: blogs