opioid-use-increase

When a regular over-the-counter pain reliever, isn’t enough to handle the pain, a doctor may prescribe a stronger form of relief in the form of an opioid. An opioid, which can only be prescribed to you by a doctor, and while they can be used to control pain, they can cause serious side effects if improperly taken for any period of time. Such sides for both short and long time use can include; Nausea, vomiting, constipation, and drowsiness. Taking the drug with alcohol, antidepressants, sleeping pills, and prescriptions can be dangerous and can cause adverse side effects when mixed. Even coming off the drug can cause such unpleasant reactions such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, anxiety, and muscle pain. Anyone who takes the drug for any amount of time can develop a dependence and ultimately become addicted.

Rise of Non-Medical Use
In 2011, the use of opioid grew dramatically to 131 million from the reported 112 back in 112 million (With an estimated 52 million taking the drug for non-medical purposes); With the majority of those prescriptions being Vicodin, the most prescribed opioid in the country because of its incorrect classification of being a class 3 instead of a class 2. Although the drug is used for legitimate reasons among doctors and patients, the prescription pain reliever kills more people a year in accidental overdoses than car accidents do in at least 17 states. To date, Vicodin overdoses has taken more lives than black tar in the 1970’s and crack did in the 1980’s all together.
80% of opioid consumption is consumed in the US
Although Vicodin is just as dangerous to their users as any other narcotic in its rightful class, the drug is not as tightly regulated which is likely why it’s prescribed by more than 600,000 doctors ranging from surgeons to primary care doctors and even dentists who are all licensed to do so. And despite the United States only making up for 4.6 of the world’s total population, 80% of opioid consumption is consumed in the US.
Check with your Doctor
If you’re taking the prescriptive drug; it’s important to note how your pain is responding to the drug, if you’re experiencing any side effects, that you’re taking only the prescribed amount and no more, and that you should also check in with your doctor on a regular basis and so that when it’s time to come off them, you don’t experience any withdrawal symptoms. If you’re noticing you’re starting to become compulsive about taking the drug, you should advise your doctor immediately.