Expert warns women are at higher risk of becoming addicted to painkillers
| Jul 30, 2019, 13:50 IST
Women are more likely to become addicted to painkillers for several reasons, according to one expert. Erin Goodhart, an addiction specialist and director of women's services at Caron Treatment Centers, told a news portal that women who suffer intense pain are more like to communicate their issues with health care providers to manage it. A study conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found pain is more intense for women than men. While doctors may prescribe painkillers in serious cases, there are important facts you need to be aware of about women and prescription painkillers.
* Painkillers could lead to heroin addiction
According to the ASAM, four out of five women addicted to heroin revealed they were prescribed opioid painkillers before they had an addiction problem. While these statistics do not mean that every woman prescribed painkillers are a going to become addicts, experts say there needs to be more awareness about the risks.
You could still develop a dependence on the drug even if you are taking them as instructed."At the low end it feels like you have the flu with exhaustion, nausea, body aches, and even a fever," Goodhart told a news portal. However, if you take these types of medication for longer, it could increase your chances of becoming addicted. Consult with your doctor if your body starts to react to the drug in a disruptive way.
* Look for other solutions to manage your pain
"At our treatment centres we use a wide variety of non-drug options to help women deal with pain without side effects," Goodhart told a news portal. Adding, "What works best for those with chronic pain is to be involved in a comprehensive program that includes psychiatric, psychological, medical, alternative pain treatments and spiritual care."Goodhart recommends trying treatment options like yoga, meditation and talk therapy. "Unresolved or unrecognized trauma, grief, and loss or other emotional pain can come out through physical pain," Goodhart told a news portal. Adding, "That's why it is important for those with chronic pain to have a psychiatric evaluation, therapy, and engage in alternative treatment options."
* Know that no all pain is bad
Women need to be more vigilant about painkillers and asses whether it is the right treatment option for their issues. "Not all pain is bad-sometimes pain is telling us something important about ourselves," Goodhart told a news portal. Adding, "Often people start using opiates in an effort to manage pain associated with injury or stress on the body. Then people realize the opiates can be used to cope with the pain of stress and pressure of everyday living." Therefore, it is important to see counsel before treating your issue with medication.
* Painkillers could lead to heroin addiction
According to the ASAM, four out of five women addicted to heroin revealed they were prescribed opioid painkillers before they had an addiction problem. While these statistics do not mean that every woman prescribed painkillers are a going to become addicts, experts say there needs to be more awareness about the risks.
You could still develop a dependence on the drug even if you are taking them as instructed."At the low end it feels like you have the flu with exhaustion, nausea, body aches, and even a fever," Goodhart told a news portal. However, if you take these types of medication for longer, it could increase your chances of becoming addicted. Consult with your doctor if your body starts to react to the drug in a disruptive way.
* Look for other solutions to manage your pain
"At our treatment centres we use a wide variety of non-drug options to help women deal with pain without side effects," Goodhart told a news portal. Adding, "What works best for those with chronic pain is to be involved in a comprehensive program that includes psychiatric, psychological, medical, alternative pain treatments and spiritual care."Goodhart recommends trying treatment options like yoga, meditation and talk therapy. "Unresolved or unrecognized trauma, grief, and loss or other emotional pain can come out through physical pain," Goodhart told a news portal. Adding, "That's why it is important for those with chronic pain to have a psychiatric evaluation, therapy, and engage in alternative treatment options."
* Know that no all pain is bad
Women need to be more vigilant about painkillers and asses whether it is the right treatment option for their issues. "Not all pain is bad-sometimes pain is telling us something important about ourselves," Goodhart told a news portal. Adding, "Often people start using opiates in an effort to manage pain associated with injury or stress on the body. Then people realize the opiates can be used to cope with the pain of stress and pressure of everyday living." Therefore, it is important to see counsel before treating your issue with medication.