Pitfalls of Pain Medication | Michael Beys Staten Island Acupuncturist

In my years practicing as an acupuncturist I have not seen anything more insidious as prescription pain medication. Percocet, vicodin, and oxycodone are prescribed and marketed as an answer to pain but they do not come with warnings. It is very important to know that the above medications are opiates and that opiate addiction is perilous. Opiates are physically addicting and also alter the brain chemistry and physiology in order to make it very difficult to stop use.

I have worked at Richmond University Medical Center and South Beach Addiction Treatment Center supervising the detox acupuncture program and can safely say that it is a significant issue. It affects everyone. Mothers, fathers, children and the elderly are all there seeking help to overcome the addiction. This problem does not discriminate against social standing, age or gender. Prescriptions are available to all often with multiple refills.

The important thing to know is the mechanism of addiction is no different than heroin or opium. These drugs are illegal and come with a stigma of use. The prescriptions do not and therefore; the danger is overlooked. They are distributed by your trusted physician and are somewhat of a wolf in sheep's clothing. When opiates are taken the brain permanently develops more opiate receptors. When the receptors are not satiated there will be withdrawal symptoms such as: body pains, nausea, vomiting, tremors, and chills. As one can see this is very uncomfortable and can drive the addicted back to using again. Although acupuncture can help relieve the symptoms of addiction it certainly does not take the pills out of the hands of users.

Prescription pain med addiction is an epidemic. You would never want your children to raid your liquor cabinet. In more ways you the medicine cabinet is worse. Now teens and young adults have access to heroin. It can leave any medicine cabinet and can be brought to schools. Most people would not stick a needle in there arm to use heroin but; one no longer needs to. And now your children have access to it.

In conclusion I would like to state that Education is the best deterrent. Educate yourselves on the pitfalls of prescription pain meds and warn your children because the last place you want to be is in treatment. Parents should be on the lookout for terms such as: "oxies, roxies, pills, vikes, sticks, and footballs." These are legitimate "street" names for drugs. If you have any question please contact me at mbeyslac@gmail.com.