Opioids FAQ
Jan 1, 2003
By: Various
Painreliefnetwork.org
Q. Are opioid pain medications dangerous?
A. No. They are the safest medications a doctor can prescribe. They are not toxic to organ systems and they closely resemble the opioids already present in our bodies, which control pain naturally, so they can safely be taken for a lifetime, if necessary.
Q. Are opioid pain medications addictive?
A. Opioid addiction in chronic pain patients is extremely rare. Addiction is a complex neuropsychological disorder that cannot be caused by a substance. Just as over-eating is not caused by food, so opioid addiction is not caused by opioids.
Q. What if I have a previous history with substance abuse, but I have chronic pain? Will I become addicted?
A. Studies at Harvard Medical School and the University of Wisconsin indicate that a prior history of substance abuse has little predictive value for the failure or success of opioid therapy. You and your doctor will need to watch your reaction to opioids more carefully than a patient without a prior history of substance abuse, but you need not suffer untreated pain.
Q. What if I become pregnant while using opioids?
A. Of all the alternatives available, opioids are safest for mother and child. Because opioid pain medications so closely resemble opioids that naturally occur in our bodies, the fetus is not endangered by them. Recent studies have shown, however that over the counter pain medications such as Advil and aspirin can cause women to miscarry 50% more than women who don’t take them.
Q. What if I have other conditions, like heart diseases, kidney failure, or diabetes, along with pain? Won’t opioids be too heavy for me to take?
A. No. Opioids are the first choice for pain that occurs with other organ system problems. Because they are non-toxic, they are ideal for people with multiple health problems.
Q. If opioids are so safe, why are doctors so reluctant to prescribe them?
A. Because the U.S. Government classifies opioids as dangerous and highly addictive and prosecutes doctors who prescribe them to patients.
Q. Why is there so much talk about multi-modal approaches and not about opioids?
A. Health care professionals have been trying to get treatment to you and have gone along with this approach in order to get you your opioids. Unfortunately, many people cannot afford multiple therapies and so are denied opioids as well.
Q. My doctor will only prescribe Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) for my pain. Is this safe?
A. No. NSAIDS account for 16,500 deaths in the U.S. per year. Since the U.S. Government classifies NSAIDS as non-abusable and not highly addictive, the doctor does not fear prosecution for prescribing them.
Q. I have neuropathic pain. My doctor says neuropathic pain is not responsive to opioids so he prescribes Neurontin. Is this safe?
A. Neurontin is an anti-epileptic, and has many serious side effects. Opioids have been shown to be safe and effective for neuropathic pain, just not in the low doses physicians feel comfortable prescribing for you.
