There are options.

Abuse of common medications, has become an epidemic in Wyoming and across the nation. For many, it begins with a legal prescription.

Before you take medication for pain, take a moment to ask your doctor:

1. Am I at risk for addiction?
2. Could something else work?
3. How long will I be taking them?
4. Are you prescribing the lowest possible dose?
5. What’s the plan to taper off?

Prescription pain medications are used to help relieve moderate to severe pain and are often prescribed following a surgery or injury or for certain health conditions. These medications can be an important part of treatment but also come with serious risks.

It is important to work with your health care provider to ensure you are getting the safest, most effective care.

Risks and what to avoid.

Prescription pain medication can be habit-forming and have the potential for overdose—especially with prolonged use—and a number of side effects, even when taken as directed. An overdose, often marked by slowed breathing, can cause sudden death.

Risks and side effects:

• Tolerance: more medication is needed for the same pain relief.
• Physical dependence: Symptoms of withdrawal occur when medication is stopped.
• Increased sensitivity to pain.
• Constipation.
• Nausea, vomiting and dry mouth.
• Sleepiness and dizziness.
• Confusion.
• Depression.
• Low levels of testosterone that result in lower sex drive, energy and strength.
• Itching and sweating.

Factors that increase risk of addiction or overdose:

• History of substance abuse.
• Mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.
• Sleep apnea.
• Advanced age (65 years or older).
• Pregnancy.

Medications and substances to avoid:

• Alcohol.
• Anxiety medications in the Benzodiazepine family.
• Muscle relaxants.
• Sleep aids that function as hypnotics.
• Other prescription pain medications.

Three things you can do.

1. Speak up.

Chances of becoming a long-term user increase after just five days. Before you take an medication for pain, talk to your doctor or dentist about your risk of addiction.

Start the conversation.
You can take a more active role in your health care by knowing the benefits and dangers of these medications and asking questions when your doctor or dentist prescribes painkillers. Take a moment to get answers:

• Am I at risk for addiction?
• Could something else work?
• How long will I be taking them?
• Are you prescribing the lowest possible dose?
• What’s the plan to taper off the medication?

2. Opt out.

There might be other ways to treat your pain that are more effective with fewer risks and side effects.

Wyoming can break free
Most Wyomingites struggling with pain mediction addiction received their first prescription to treat a short-term injury or after surgery, but it’s possible to opt-out of taking the substances to manage pain.

There are treatments that might work better with fewer risks and side effects:

• A combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
• Naproxen.
• Physical therapy.
• Exercise.
• Certain medications that are also used for depression or seizures.
• Interventional therapies (injections).
• Cognitive behavioral therapy.

3. Toss leftovers (safely).

Two-thirds of all misused medications come from prescriptions that are unused by friends and family. Keeping unused medications in your home can increase the risk of theft, so it’s crucial to dispose of unused or expired prescriptions immediately.

There’s no such thing as safe leftovers.
Getting rid of opioid medications minimizes the chance of someone misusing them, but don’t just flush them—it’s important to dispose of them properly to reduce their impact on the environment. The best way to get rid of medications in Laramie County is by dropping unused medication at the Public Safety Center (Police Department), located at 415 West 18th St, Cheyenne, WY 82001.

Home disposal.
If you can’t access a take-back location or buy a mail-back envelope and have to dispose of medication at home, do so safely. Do not flush your medicine or give it to someone else to dispose of it for you. Instead, follow these steps:

• Remove medication from its original container (be sure you remove the label or cross out any identifying information).
• Mix the medication with something that can’t be eaten, like kitty litter, coffee grounds, sawdust, etc.
• Place the mixture in a resealable bag or other durable container that prevents leakage.
• Wrap the container in newspaper or a plain brown bag to conceal its contents.
• Place it in your trash the day your trash is collected.

Safety.

If you’ve been prescribed pain medications, there are ways to take them safely and store them securely to prevent misuse and addiction.

What addiction looks like.

Learning to recognize the physical, behavioral and psychological signs and symptoms of dependency is important. Health care providers should diagnose addiction.

• Taking painkillers more often, even when there’s not much discomfort.
• Spending an increasing amount of time obtaining prescriptions.
• Cash, valuables or medicine missing from the home.
• Mood and personality changes or defensiveness.
• Excessive drowsiness and lack of appetite.
• Withdrawal from friends, family or social activities.
• Neglecting responsibilities.
• Increasing sensitivity to normal sights, sounds or emotions.
• Blackouts and forgetfulness.

Get help now.

If you or someone you know is experiencing or showing the signs above, get help now. Several agencies offer help with addiction or dependency:

Learn more about Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for chronic pain.

References

CDC
Mayo Clinic
NCBI