Opioid overdose

Currently, the US is facing an unprecedented epidemic of Opioid overdose. Experts claim that the rise of Opioid abuse may be traced to the increased prescription rates for painkillers by the well-meaning physicians. Following the positive treatment in cancer patients, opioids started being prescribed to patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Opioid tend to have a significant role in treating some chronic and acute pain. Opioids can have some beneficial effects and also adverse effects in some cases.

A pro for the use of Opioid include reduce cancer and acute pain condition and helps in the management of chronic pain. The benefit of the use of Opioid is that it helps to relieve pain. The pain management tends to be a major priority for patients who have chronic pain; thus, the benefit of Opioid use in such a situation tends to outweigh the harm (Sketka, 2015).

A major disadvantage with regards to Opioid is the addiction. Despite Opioid being helpful as a pain reliever, it does result to physical dependence from the long-term use. Another con for Opioid is the side effects involved with the use of Opioid such as physical inactivity, functional impairment, psychological dependence, and suppression of sex hormones (Sketka, 2015). The major disadvantage is that many people have been able to develop addiction with Opioid while they are trying to treat other medical problems. The prolonged use of opioids leads to dependence and when one is hooked, increasing amounts of drugs in needed so as to prevent the feelings of withdrawal. With the use of opioids, it is necessary to ensure careful patient selection and monitoring so as to help maximize the pain relief and also to identify any potential misuse of opioids.

Reference

HHS opioid research portfolio brief. 

Sketka, B (2015). Opioids for Chronic Pain: Yes or No? 

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