Opioid use and abuse

Opioid addiction is an epidemic across the country, and news stories about it are everywhere you turn, from local news to national.  The New York Times, in a June 7 article, states that over 165,000 people in the United States died between 1999 and 2014 due to prescription opioid overdoses.  This April, Prince became another victim.

Opioids include both heroin and prescription painkillers.  They can affect balance and thinking and memory and can cause nausea, vomiting, and constipation.  Alternatives to opioids for pain management include exercise, weight loss, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness meditation, tai chi, and yoga.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention introduced new guidelines in March for prescribing opioids.

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