The Truth About Opioid Addiction and How Blue Heron Can Help

Part One

This is part one of a multi-part series on Opioid drugs.  Opioids are a class of pain-relieving drugs that bind to specific receptors throughout the body and inhibit the transmission of pain signals. Used to treat moderate to severe pain, opioids can rapidly become addictive and react unfavorably with other medications. Opioid abuse in the United states now qualifies as an epidemic.

Chiropractic Alternative

Research conclusively shows that chiropractic care can either reduce dependence on opioids or eliminate the need for them. Blue Heron Chiropractic, working with the Oregon Chiropractic Association’s Committee for Chiropractic & Public Health, is committed to being a resource for opioid addiction prevention.

Typical opioids include Vicodin, Oxycontin, Norco, Percodan, Percocet, Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone. In addition, painkillers such as morphine, methadone, Buprenorphine and codeine are also in the opiod family. Especially relevant is Fentanyl, which has recently claimed the lives of several high profile celebrities.

Calling legal opioids by brand names tends to make people forget what they are, due to this fact many people don’t realize what they’re consuming. Brand names include Roxicet, Naloxone, Lorcet, Lortab, Hysingla, Zohydro, Dilaudid, Exalgo, Dolophine, and Tylox. Regular side effects of these types of medication include constipation, fatigue and nausea. Most noteworthy, opioids suppress the breathing reflex, a leading cause of death by overdose.

Complications

Addiction emerges as the body rapidly develops a tolerance to opioids; as a result more of the substance is consumed. Abuse patterns develop. Addicts compulsively seek out the pain medications, stockpile and overuse them. Patients on opioids may end up extending the drug portion of their treatment. Other people take opioids alongside other medications which magnify the effect and can produce fatal results. Multiple drug intoxication syndrome can occur.

For more information, you can go here, here, or here – and we can talk confidentially and respectfully in clinic. Blue Heron can help you find resources, no shame attached.

Here to Help

Blue Heron Chiropractic is a full service clinic featuring modern and effective chiropractic and chiropractic orthopedics, massage, exercise rehabilitation and natural medicines on Northeast (NE) Broadway in Portland, Oregon. Directed by Dr. Dana Sibilla, we treat new pain and persisting pain, auto or work injuries. Furthermore, we integrate well with all other providers. We manage wellness and treat a range of conditions, from back pain to whiplash to migraines to fibromyalgia, sciatica and joint pain. Finally, if you have questions about opioids, pain or pain management, schedule an appointment today.