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Innova Pain Clinic

Dr. Andrew White
Chiropractic Physician
435 N 1680 E #6
St George UT
(435) 652-4322


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Methadone for pain control. Still a bad idea.

St George Chiropractor

Pain medications are classified based on how the function in the body and their chemical pathways.  One family of pain medication is called the ‘opioids.’  These drugs are popular because they have three major therapeutic effects:

  • Decrease perception
  • Decreased pain response
  • Increased pain tolerance

Opioids also come in different varieties.  There are natural (morphine, codeine) , semi-synthetic (hydrocodone, oxycodone), and fully synthetic (methadone, tramadol).  Each classification has risks and benefits.

A study published this week by the Center for Disease Control reiterates the dangers of using Methadone for pain control.

The CDC tracked the opioid related overdoses and deaths for 13 states over an 11 year period.  After compiling the values, the CDC determined that methadone, accounted for 39.8% of the drug related deaths even though it only accounted for 4.5%-18.5% of the prescriptions.  That is a startling figure.  Methadone was implicated in over 1/3 of the deaths even though it is uncommonly prescribed.

When you have pain, you have a few options.  It’s not a bad idea to use them in this sequence.

  1. Cowboy up
  2. Chiropractor
  3. OTC Medication
  4. Prescription Medication
Methadone St George UT

Some things are simply too dangerous to try. Choose the safer route, choose chiropractic. Featured image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Kittikun Atsawintarangkul.

The dangers and side-effects of the medication are real.  Before a person takes an opioid medication (like Lortab), they have to understand the real risks.  Unfortunately, people in pain have clouded judgement.  We all know someone who got addicted to pain medication.  They didn’t start with the goal of being an addict, but the drugs slowly took over.  It’s tragic and avoidable.  Cowboy up, then see your chiropractor.  I have never heard of anyone cashing in their children’s college money in order to feed a chiropractic habit.

Dr. Andrew White | St George Chiropractor

Featured image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and David Castillo Dominici

Reference:

Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report. 2012;61(26):493-497. © 2012 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

One response to “Methadone for pain control. Still a bad idea.”

  1. Scott says:
    August 19, 2013 at 11:17 am

    Methadone should never be used for chronic pain unless you are dying and will never have to worry about getting off of them or dying from the toxic effects that may come. I used methadone for chronic pain over 8 years years. Mt ex wife who was an R.N told me, some night’s i was only breathing 4 times a minute. It was so hard to get off of and no rehab will take you on a high dose. Wake up medical profession.