An injury can change your life in ways you may not expect. For some people, that change can include being prescribed opioid pain medication. While opioids can be helpful for managing certain types of pain, they can also lead to dependence and, for some people, opioid use disorder.
How Can It Happen?
When someone takes an opioid for pain, their body can begin to get used to the medication. Over time, a person may develop tolerance, meaning they need more of the medication to experience the same effects. Physical dependence can also develop, which means the body may experience symptoms when the medication is reduced or stopped.
This can happen even when someone originally started taking the medication exactly as prescribed. That is one reason it is important to understand the risks of prescription opioids and to talk with a healthcare provider about pain management and how long medication may be needed.
Understanding the Risks
Prescription opioids can be helpful for managing certain types of pain, but they also carry risks. Understanding how dependence and opioid use disorder can develop is important, even when someone first encounters opioids through a legitimate medical need.
Prevention Starts With Understanding
Preventing opioid-related harm starts with having honest conversations about how dependence and addiction can develop. Knowing the risks does not mean someone should avoid necessary medical care. Instead, it gives people the information they need to make informed decisions and recognize when additional support may be helpful.
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid use, reaching out for support is an important step. Addiction is not a moral failure, and asking for help should never be something to be ashamed of.
An injury may be where the story starts, but it doesn’t have to be where the story ends.
