National News Health classes, assemblies, the news– opioids are an area well covered no matter where you go. Perhaps they’ve been such a hot topic lately because of the more than 600 opioid deaths on Long Island alone in 2017, or perhaps it’s because of widespread outrage regarding the lies that have been told by major pharmaceutical companies since the 1990’s, the decade when opioids were hailed as the most underrated and effective method of long term pain management. Regardless of where or why you’ve heard of this epidemic, the most important things for you to know are those which will help you avoid susceptibly to opioids. As a rule, be skeptical of pain reliever prescriptions you’re given; it isn’t always best to trust your doctor, as many haven’t yet been trained in the practice of cautiously prescribing opioids, despite CDC guidelines. Many current addicts fell prey to prescription pills for injuries, surgeries, etc., continuing to consume them long after any pain had left. They may also have borrowed or bought leftover prescription pills from a family member or friend. Rather than taking all of the pills you’re given, opt instead to listen to your body above your doctor. When the pain
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has significantly lessened, and weaker, over-the-counter pain relievers begin to work, throw away excess prescription pills. Even if you think that saving them for the future will save you money on another prescription purchase, the risk to you or a family member is never worth it. If you suffer from chronic pain, consider alternative methods of pain relief and management to further decrease your risk of addiction. Acupuncture, a widely-practiced treatment that releases endorphins at the site of the needle punctures to relieve pain for limited amounts of time, is a potential alternative. Meditation is also a reputable way to relieve pain. Its reliability has been proven even among Parkinson’s disease patients, who use it to alleviate both pain and trembling for a certain amount of time daily or weekly. In addition to pain and trembling, meditation has also been proven to reduce stress and rates of depression. Despite popular disbelief, hypnosis is also a very effective, up-and-coming practice shown to relieve pain and discourage bad habits. For example, many smokers have anecdotally reported
using hypnotherapy to quit their addiction. While this same method has not yet been applied to opioid addicts, the possibility should not be ruled out. In addition, chronic pain has been reported by many sufferers to have been either lessened or stopped by hypno-analgesia, a type of hypnotherapy specialized to lessen the physical feeling of pain in one’s body. With these findings, hypnosis has been gradually gaining cred-
OPIOID CRISIS by Alexandra Kucich
ibility in the medical world and may be a viable alternative to prescription opioids. Spread this knowledge among any family and friends you may know dealing with pain, and protect yourself and your loved ones from opioid addiction. Opioids may be an epidemic-level threat right now, but with education and awareness, that can change.