Exposing the Truth Behind Opioids
Bottom Line:
The truth will set you free. While much of the information about the opioid epidemic is shocking, it's important to understand how we got here. For example, when we first learned that 35 billion opioids (half of all the distributed pills) were handled by about 15% of pharmacies, it became clear that there was a network of "pill mills" that weren't concerned about helping people actually find relief from their chronic pain.
Why it matters:
Chronic pain is a real issue for tens of millions of people each day. In many cases, the answer isn't found in a pill but rather with a combination of movement-based treatments. Your body heals through motion. Taking medications may provide temporary relief, but they don't address the cause of your pain. Nearly everyone who takes opioids for an extended time becomes dependent. We think it's a smart idea to avoid the risks.
- In 2016, over 91 million people used prescription opioids
- The rates of emergency department visits involving opioids more than tripled from 1999 to 2013
- Over 16 million people currently suffer from an opioid use disorder
Next Steps:
In the 1990's medical doctors were falsely lured into prescribing opioids as a treatment for pain. Aggressive marketing of the drugs downplayed the risks, and prescriptions for mild to moderate pain were continued indefinitely, with no intention of tapering off. This combination has led to the epidemic we are in today. But there is a solution. The first step is having the right information about opioids and chronic pain. The next step is connecting with a movement-based practice like ours to discover how to find long-term relief without these dangerous medications.
Science Source:
Opioid Addiction. Stat Pearls. 2021