Opioid Abuse: A Case Study

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Education can be a step taken to help prevent opioid use and misuse. A patient can be educated on the effects opioids can and will potentially have on them in the short and long run. Physicians should also be educated on what to look for in an addict or a potential addict. They should be screening their patients for potential risk factors, including mental illness, personal or family history of drug abuse. Not everyone taking pain medication will end in addiction, however, those that are at risk include, certain biological factors. Males are more likely, along with people with conditions such as, posttraumatic stress disorder, ADHD, anxiety or depression to be at a higher risk of addiction. They should be screening their patients for …show more content…
They should be more stringent on how frequently they give them out. It can be suggested to take Ibuprofen or Tylenol to help reduce pain. There are many types of pain management alternatives, they include physical therapy, acupuncture, therapy and stress reducing techniques. Physical therapy can help with acute and chronic pain. It involves many different types of pain management methods, massage, manipulation of joints and bones (chiropractic manipulation), manual therapy using hands or tools on soft tissue, cold laser therapy (alleviates inflammation, pain and releases endorphins), micro-current stimulation (increases serotonin and dopamine to alleviate pain naturally), movement therapy and exercise. Acupuncture is another form of pain management. Studies have found that it works for pain caused by many conditions. Therapy can be helpful as well. When working with a psychologist people can learn how to change their pain related thoughts and behaviors. Seeking therapy may not seem like a traditional way of dealing with pain, however, depression can lower a person’s pain tolerance. Often enough depression and chronic pain go hand in hand. Chronic pain can also cause or worsen depression. Reducing stress by using certain techniques can be good for pain management. Some stress reducing techniques include, yoga, relaxation therapy, hypnosis and massage. These can all be helpful in reducing chronic pain. By physicians recommending these other helpful alternatives for pain management instead of pain medication, this could in turn help the growing epidemic of opioid

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