Overused Prescribed Narcotics for Aches and Pains

There are enough challenges working in healthcare and with the overuse of narcotics our jobs have become more challenging. The over prescribing of narcotics has really gotten out of hand at this time. As a medical provider I am encountering more patients being given narcotics for every little ache they have.

I am all for managing pain and I truly believe that no one should have to suffer or hurt. And I also understand that the pain tolerance of one may not be the same for another, but with that being said I also know that tendonitis does not need a month's supply of Vicodin, Percocet, Norco or any one of these prescribed narcotics.

In the healthcare industry for over ten years, I am finding that these narcotics are being prescribed more frequently and with less regard of the potential side effects involved. They are used as a band-aid and personally I feel that this is only to become a bigger problem in our future.

I treat mostly work related injuries, but 9 out of 10 people that have gone elsewhere prior to my evaluation are already being treated with a narcotic, in which in my opinion I would have never given it to them in the first place. I am not talking about any broken bones here, these injuries are usually of an overuse syndrome that includes inflammation, sprains and strains. These patients need to have an anti-inflammatory, ice and rest. And giving the magic pain pill for this is not going to help and treat the injury.

The overuse of narcotics is giving the population that abuses it a reason to keep seeking medical attention for every bump, bruise or scrape that they sustain. I cannot judge the practitioner who prescribes them, but I feel that ethically there must be some justification when giving out such a prescription. Absolutely these medications need to be prescribed, but there must a reason to correlate the writing of a narcotic prescription.

With a good physical exam and weighing other options the use of narcotics can be avoided. There are great non-steroidal anti-inflammatories that can be used instead. Along with these NSAIDS there are other treatment modalities that include topical analgesics, therapy and just good old fashion rest that will aid in the healing process without the use of narcotics.

I encourage all to realize that not every ache or pain needs to be treated with a big gun prescribed pain killer. Narcotics are being overused and not utilized for what its intentions were made for, and thus causing a huge disadvantage to the patients that does not need it. Rest, ice and over the counter analgesics should be utilized as a first line treatment for most injuries.

I can only hope that the cycle of over prescribing narcotics ends, if not we will be facing many more and different challenges in our healthcare system in our future.