Being a terminal lung cancer patient, I am probably one of a minority of people who could get a prescription for pain-killing opioids (like hydrocodone, oxycodone, being two of the most frequently precribed), without much hassle. But I've never had to take pain pills because I'm not in any pain.
There is no doubt that America has an opioid crisis on its hands. In 2015, overdoses were the leading causes of accidental death in the U.S. with 52,404 deaths.
Twenty and a half million Americans over the age of 20 had prescriptions for opioids while 591,000 used heroin. It is estimated that four out of every five heroin users first used prescription opioids When asked why, they said heroin was easier to get and cheaper.
So, yes opioids are definitely a problem. But there is another side to the story. Ironically, I have friends who actually do have chronic, severe pain due to various conditions. Because we are making opioids so difficult to obtain, people with legitimate constant pain are finding it difficult to receive relief.
Doctors, generally, have over-prescribed opioids over the last several years but now they are under-prescribing them in order to stay out of possible legal jeopardy. You now have to sign a contract with your doctor stating that you will not try to receive a prescription from any doctor but him or her, on pain of being fired.
Even in cases of serious injury, the protocol is to only allow patients to take opioids for a week, although the pain may still be severe in that period of time.
So, we are in danger of creating a huge new problem in trying to solve an old one. People in constant pain have a low quality of life. Is it any wonder, many of them go outside the law to try to find an help?
There has to be a better way.
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