While opioids are the main cause of the current addiction epidemic, there are ways of using opioids responsibly. Many people are concerned that if they take any opioids for pain that they will create an addiction. However, many people use opioids for various reasons every day without becoming an addict. The key is to use them responsibly and only as directed. Know if you are at risk for addiction and speak with your doctor. Only use the medication for as long as you need to. Follow your doctor’s directions carefully, and do not change your dose without consulting them. And finally, dispose of any leftover pills properly. Opioids are important if you are suffering from intense pain, so they might be needed after an injury or surgery. As long as you are careful and responsible, you can take them without developing an addiction.
Using Opioids Responsible: Taking Medication Without Risk of Addiction
Know if You are At Risk
It’s important to know if you are at risk for addiction and if you are concerned about using opioids responsibly. If you have had addiction issues in the past or have a family history, you’ll want to discuss this with your doctor. They might prescribe you some other form of pain medication. It’s also important to make sure that you do not mix alcohol or drugs with opioids. If you don’t feel like you can quit, you’ll again want to discuss other options with your doctor.
Use Only As Long as Necessary
Using opioids responsibly means only using them for the shortest time you need them. As soon as your pain becomes manageable with over-the-counter painkillers, ask your doctor if you can stop the opioids. They should only prescribe you enough pills for a short time. Do not try to adjust your dose yourself for any reason without talking to your healthcare provider.
Use Only As Prescribed
The absolute most important thing when using opioids responsibly is to only use them as prescribed. This means taking them at the correct time each day and spacing them out as far as they need to be spaced. In addition, follow the directions on the bottle. For example, if the pills should be swallowed, do not chew them. Do not double up on doses if you miss one. Be careful to follow any directions from your doctor.
Dispose of Leftovers Properly
Finally, after using opioids responsibly, it’s also important to dispose of them correctly. You don’t want to leave opioids sitting around your house. They can be dangerous if they get into the wrong hands, especially for children or addicts. In addition, if they’re just sitting around you are more likely to use them on occasions when they haven’t been prescribed. So if you have any leftovers, flush them down the toilet or drop them off at a local drug drop-off location.
Using opioids responsibly is incredibly important to ensure that you do not develop an addiction. The opioid epidemic is a crisis in our country. However, sometimes opioids are truly necessary for pain management. So if you need them, just make sure to use them correctly. Talk to your doctor about other options if you know you are at high-risk for addiction. In addition, use them only for as long as you need them. Follow all of your doctor’s directions and do not adjust your dose yourself. And finally, if you have leftover pills, dispose of them in a safe place. You want to make certain that these do not get into the wrong hands. Hopefully, you will be able to manage your pain and recover quickly so that you won’t need to take opioids for long.