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The story has echoed across the nation—“Toxic Mix of Pills and Alcohol Fuels Spike in Deaths; Prescription Pills: Addition Hell; Painkillers Lead to Dependence on Heroin.” These painkillers, known as a class of medications called opioids, can be dangerous when prescribed for an extended period of time and at excessive amounts. Highly addictive, for years they have been the first line of defense for pain management throughout the healthcare system. As the saying goes, “You’re experiencing pain? I have a pill for that!”

With new CDC requirements, prescribers are taking a closer look at prescribing habits, focusing much of their attention on prescribing for shorter periods of time, at minimal strengths, providing patients with no refills, and referring them to alternative therapies. Use of these therapies can help reduce acute and chronic pain, significantly lessening the risk of dependence on opioids and a life of addiction.

NSAIDS

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, are medications used to reduce pain, inflammation, and/or swelling. The most commonly utilized pain reliever, these medications are used to assist with discomforts such as headaches, muscle aches, back pain, or toothaches. Examples of NSAIDS include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. When used as directed, and in conjunction with acetaminophen, these medications have been shown to be more effective in the reduction of pain than an opioid pain medication.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Physical Therapy (PT), a category of rehabilitative or restorative health that has been around for 90+ years, utilizes exercise and equipment to focus on movement, pain reduction, restorative function, and prevention of disabilities or additional injury for a variety of conditions.

CHIROPRACTIC

Practiced for over 100 years, chiropractic treatment uses spinal manipulation or adjustments to treat disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous system. Chiropractic services are typically sought out for treatment of back, neck, or joint pain and headache. The approach chiropractic physicians take is a hands on, drug free approach, with encouragement to additionally engage in rehabilitative exercises and address dietary/nutritional improvements with behavioral counseling.

MASSAGE THERAPY

Individuals seek massage therapy services for pain management, stress, anxiety, relaxation, or promotion of wellness. This therapy focuses on the health and well being of an individual, utilizing a hands-on manipulation approach. With varying intensities of pressure, manipulation of soft body tissues such as muscles, ligaments, tendons, and skin occur to create a therapeutic and healing effect. Dependent on an individual’s reason to seek massage services, many treatment modalities or options are available to aid in the reduction of pain, stress, and muscle tension.

ACUPUNCTURE

Founded in the Chinese culture, this alternative therapy is practiced by inserting thin needles under the skin to stimulate pressure points on the body. With the focus on balancing the flow of energy, it is believed that once these specific points are activated, the flow of energy is restored and balanced, assisting in the reduction of discomfort and providing relief from events such as nausea, headaches, low back, neck, and dental pain and osteoarthritis.

MINDFULNESS

This therapy has roots in various religious traditions, including but not limited to, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and Buddhism. Being practiced for thousands of years, mindfulness is a mental state achieved by tuning in to one’s emotions, thoughts, and body while staying fully present for a period of time. Mindfulness can be performed by anyone, allowing one to stay true to him or herself, and can become a way of living, reducing stress while allowing one to be more thoughtful and caring in everyday life.

Choosing the easy route of pain relief, obtaining that prescription for opioids from the physician, is convenient and less work, but utilizing these alternative therapies can provide relief from various discomforts and reduce the risk of harm associated with prescription pain medications. Before filling that prescription for opioids, weigh the pros and cons of alternative therapies, and advocate for yourself, asking your physician about various treatments other than narcotic painkillers. Uncomfortable conversations save lives, and in the end, it could be the difference between living or dying, and the convenience opioids once were could end up a hellish nightmare.

It’s summer, and the livin’ is easy. That is, unless you’re worried about your child and what he (or she) may be doing while you’re not with him and he’s not occupied with school. No one said parenting would be easy, but few people explained how hard good parenting really is. Good parents can and should be friendly to their children, but they cannot be their children’s friends. Friends aren’t the mature voice of reason or conscience telling each other the right thing to do. That’s what parents are for. Friendships change. Friends grow apart; they move away; and sometimes friendships end. Parents? Not so much. Parents stay parents until…well, forever. Even death doesn’t end the parental bond.

How, then, do you parent well when you’re concerned your child may be using alcohol or other drugs? Many parents may want to ignore their concerns, but with deadly fentanyl turning up even in marijuana, ignoring “the talk” may be a death sentence. Sure, parents can let someone else have “the talk” with their children, but who’s to know the information being dispensed is accurate or in keeping with the family’s values? But wait…don’t they learn this stuff in school? Aren’t parents off the hook?! In a word, “No.”

One of parents’ toughest jobs is having “the talk” with their children on a variety of topics; “the talk” on alcohol and other drug use can truly be a lifesaver. Here are five conversation starters for “the talk,” found at the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids website, drugfree.org:

If your teen has started hanging out with friends you don’t know: “It seems like you are hanging with a different crowd than you have in the past. Is something going on with your usual friends, or are you just branching out and meeting some new kids?”
If your youth is transitioning to the next level in school: “I know we’ve talked about drinking and using other drugs before, but now is when they’re probably going to be an issue. I’m guessing you’ll at least hear about kids who are experimenting. I just want you to remember that I’m here for you, and the best thing you can do is just talk to me about the stuff you hear or see.”
Your young child is curious about medicine bottles around your home: “You should only take medicines that have your name on them or that your doctor has chosen just for you. If you take medicine that belongs to somebody else, it could be dangerous and make you sick.”
You find out that prescription drugs are being sold at your teen’s school, but your teen hasn’t said anything to you about it: “Hey, I heard there are kids selling prescription pills. Have you heard about kids doing this?” “If you’re ever offered drugs at school, tell that person, ‘My mother would kill me if I took that, and then she wouldn’t let me play baseball.’”
You want to remind your teen that she doesn’t have to give in to peer pressure to drink alcohol or use other drugs: “We want school to be a ton of fun, but we also know there’s going to be some pressure to start drinking or taking other drugs. You’ll still have a lot of fun without drinking or using drugs, and you won’t be the only one. Many other students don’t, either. You can talk to us about anything, any time — even if you make a mistake or feel stuck in a situation that you need help to get out of. We’ll figure out a way to help you. We want you to count on us to help you make smart decisions and stay safe, okay?”

When having these conversations, be sure to stay relaxed, open, and honest. Teachable moments arise all the time; you just have to be brave enough to initiate “the talk.” For more tips on talking to your child about alcohol and other drug use, visit https://drugfree.org/article/prevention-tips-for-every-age/ .

Remember, uncomfortable conversations save lives.

Prescription for Alternative Therapy