The Pain Project: Pain management doesn’t just mean opioids*
By Sam Sears, Health Policy Associate, National Consumers League
Earlier this year, the National Consumers League (NCL) produced, as part of its health series, an episode of the “We Can Do This!” podcast focused on alternatives to opioids for pain control. In this podcast, listeners were able to hear directly from those with lived experience with opioid use disorder, both personally and as the loved one of someone with the disorder. You can listen to the podcast here. Each of the speakers on this episode was brought together, through the creation and launch of “The Painful Truth” campaign.
The campaign features a three-minute film, which features real individuals looking for pain control, discussing their options and the complications that can come with opioids. Matt Robinson, who is featured in the film and one of the speakers on our podcast, discusses his experience with opioid use disorder, and shares with NCL that his first experience with opioids for pain control was when he was 12; the result of a sports injury. Former Congresswoman Mary Bono discusses the founding of Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse, and her experience with a loved one who experienced opioid use disorder. Our final guest, Charlene Ng, Vice President of US Medical Affairs at Bayer, shares how recently her teenage son was offered a prescription for opioids for pain management after wisdom teeth removal.
I think it’s really important to highlight how in two of the stories the speakers shared on this episode how they or their loved one were first offered a prescription for opioids as young adults and as teens. We know we’re in a mental health, and, specifically a substance use disorder, crisis within the States, and while the overall national dispensing rate for opioids has declined between 2019 and 2022, our nation still consumes over four-fifths of the world’s opioids. Given that the US makes up less than 5% of the world’s population, that’s a truly staggering number.
Generally, we trust doctors. They’re highly educated, specialize in their field, and pledge an ethical code of conduct to ‘do no harm’. It’s understandable that when a doctor recommends something, especially a medication for pain management, there isn’t a whole lot of questioning or concern. However, opioids are not the only option for pain management that is out there and available for consumers – especially considering the significant side effects that come with such an addictive substance.
Not too long ago, in 2022, the CDC issued new and updated clinical guidelines for prescribing opioids for pain. There are 12 total recommendations for these guidelines, grouped into four categories, and I think the most important recommendations happen to be the first two related to determining whether or not to initiate opioids for pain. Regardless of the type of pain, be it chronic or acute, the CDC states that nonopioid options, both nonpharmacological and other medications that aren’t opioids, are preferred to opioid use for pain management. What really resonated with me in these is that nonopioid therapies can be as effective, if not more so, for common types of acute pain (which includes wisdom teeth removal and acute musculoskeletal injuries like common sports-related sprains and breaks). These therapies include non-pharmacological options such as heat therapy, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and more, and pharmacological non-opioid options such as NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and more, depending on the cause of the pain.
In general, the most important thing for consumers to know is to talk to their doctor or health professional. Doctors work for and with us. Substance use disorder and addiction are a huge problem within the US currently, and it can be very scary to have to take a medication that can lead to that. But opioids aren’t our only option. If you are getting an opioid prescription, ask why, or ask about nonaddictive options! Make sure your health team talks to you about all the possible side effects and consequences that may develop, and if moving forward with an opioid is the right step for you.
If you or someone you know is struggling, options for treatment and help can be found on SAMHSA’s website.
*Medical Disclaimer: All information in this blog post is strictly for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this post is a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
