Seven Signs and Symptoms: Opioid Prescription in Leading to Danger

When a physician prescribes an opioid -- such as oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone) and those containing hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab, Norco) -- to help you or a loved one to manage nagging back pain, the last thing on your mind is that the drug is addictive and may lead to dependency, drug abuse, or even death.

Think Again.

Addiction can happen quickly -- within a few weeks -- and depends upon the specific
drug.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the signs and symptoms of problems related to prescription opioid painkillers include:

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Slowed breathing rate
• Confusion
• Poor Coordination
• Increased pain with higher doses
  

Be on the lookout for other signs:

• Stealing, forging or selling prescriptions
• Taking higher doses than prescribed
• Excessive mood swings or hostility
• Increase or decrease in sleep
• Poor decision-making
• Appearing to be high, unusually energetic or revved up, or sedated
• Continually "losing" prescriptions, so more prescriptions must be written
• Seeking prescriptions from more than one doctor

If you think you, your friend or loved one may have a problem with prescription drug use for non-cancer related pain, talk to the doctor.

Don't feel embarrassed or fearful of betraying a confidence.

It's far easier to tackle the problem of prescription drug abuse early -- before it becomes a dangerous addiction that leads to more-serious health or life-threatening behaviors.

A better alternative for dealing with pain is to access care from a doctor of chiropractic (DC) -- right from the onset of back, neck or musculoskeletal pain.

According to the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing consumers with education and a greater understanding of the value of drug-free pain management, chiropractic care is a safer option than opioids.

A DC is highly educated and trained to provide effective acute, subacute or chronic back pain management. Chiropractic care is covered by most insurance and health plans.

Help to spread the message that prescription opioid drugs can be dangerous -- and that there are safer options for you, your friends and your loved ones.