A new study has found that patients with four common risk factors have a significantly higher risk of addiction to pain pills.
A history of severe drug dependence and drug abuse compounds the risk. Common risk factors for painkiller addiction in patients with chronic pain are age (under 65 years old), a history of drug abuse, depression, and use of psychiatric medications.
Addiction to painkillers among these patients is as high as 26 percent.
“These findings suggest that patients with pre-existing risk factors are more likely to become addicted to painkillers, providing the foundation for further clinical evaluation,” said Joseph Boscarino, the lead study researcher.
“By assessing patients in chronic pain for these risk factors before prescribing painkillers, doctors will be better able to treat their patients’ pain without the potential for future drug addiction.”
The study finds that the same risk factors may also influence drug addiction in patients without a history of chronic pain.
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Tags: pain management, Painkillers, recovery from pain, treatment centers
After 4 knee surgeries in two years and dealing with the pain both prior to the knee operations and then after has left me with collateral damage.
The pain medication! I want to stop the medication after the last knee surgery, but the body does not! Dang did not think of this as a issue prior to seeking relief for the knees. Now I am really stressed on what to do.
This is almost as bad as having both knees swelled up like balloons.
I am very confused, this situation sucks.
Nobody does think of situations like this until years later when they realize their bodies need the medication daily. And you really can’t call these people “addicts” due to the fact the prescription was given legally by a doctor. There are so many people going through what you are! Maybe try detoxing, and then leaning nutritional, traditional and holistic therapies to learn to cope with the pain? Please share your thoughts. This is a topic that is so new.