Opiates: A Case Study

Opiates are a common form of analgesics that is used as a temporary treatment for numerous acute pain disorders, such as patients suffering from trauma or those dealing with cancer. The use of opiates is now becoming disputable due to the fact that they are very addictive substances. Opiates are the most formidable and dependable analgesic agents (Howard 2011). It is also known that opiates have the ability to decrease anxiety and create mild sedation and a tangible sense of well-being. The use of opiates for chronic life threatening pain is controversial, which has allowed some physicians to be reluctant in prescribing patients (Howard 2011). On the other hand, many physicians do not mind prescribing their patients opioids even though they are known to be very addictive. This paper will cover the topic of opioids its history, how many physicians are overdosing their patients, and how the reduction of the drug can be done with relation to ethics. Throughout the 19th century, doctors argued …show more content…
Pain was an identification of physical power and it is essential to the healing process (Lembke 2013). 100 years ago, with the rise of morphine and other medical related drugs, a pattern had occurred with regard to the treatment of pain (Lembke 2013). Nowadays, it is the doctor’s main responsibility and focus is to treat pain. In 2001, the Medical Board of California created a law instructing all licensed physicians in the state of California to participate in a full-day course in regard to “pain management” (Lembke 2013). Furthermore, from a physician’s perspective, treating pain pays, and treating addiction does not. Some changes that could help treating the overdose or providing addictive patients opioids is demanding that all physicians have to participate in an annual course of continuing medical education