Back Pain & Opioid Abuse

The Link Between Chronic Pain & Opioid Abuse

Prescription opioids are often used to treat painful symptoms associated with spinal pain due to injury, degeneration, or following a surgical procedure. While they can prove to be helpful when it comes to addressing aches and pains, anyone who takes prescription opioids is susceptible to misusing and becoming addicted to them.

In light of Medicine Abuse Awareness Month, the spinal health experts at Inspired Spine are here to share how chronic pain affecting the neck and back can lead to opioid abuse and even addiction.

What are Opioids?

Prescription opioids are synthetic drugs that were created in a lab setting and are typically prescribed to address the pain associated with chronic health conditions. When taking opioids, they activate the opioid receptors within the brain, which affect feelings of pleasure and pain.

What Causes Misuse & Abuse?

When it comes to opioid abuse and addiction, people using these drugs are using them for legitimate reasons and not recreationally when they succumb to addiction. In fact, 1 in 4 patients who have opioid therapy as a means to address chronic pain also struggle with addiction to the substance.

When struggling with chronic pain that affects a person’s independence and quality of life, they may become increasingly reliant on opioids to feel “normal,” causing them to take more than the recommended dosage. Unfortunately due to the addictive nature of opioids, this misuse can quickly progress into a full-blown addiction.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Minnesota

When it comes to aches and pains, the discomfort that affects your back can be more than just an annoyance—it can negatively affect your quality of life and your independence. At Inspired Spine, our experienced and knowledgeable spinal surgeons are dedicated to relieving your chronic back pain with the least invasive treatment possible.

To schedule a free consultation with one of our spine surgeons, call (952) 225-5266 today.