There’s a huge opioid addiction epidemic in America right now, and it was recently spotlighted in the news when the state of Oklahoma sued Johnson & Johnson for its role in causing the crisis. Oklahoma won the case, and Johnson & Johnson is being forced to pay nearly $600 million to the state.
Opioids are highly effective at treating pain symptoms. However, they’re also highly addictive and can even cause dependency and fatal overdoses. Despite their risks, doctors still prescribe them, even for relatively minor conditions and pain symptoms that could be treated with other methods.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists says that there are five effective pain treatments that don’t have the potential for addiction like opioids, including:
- Non-opioid pain medications—Available by prescription or over the counter, these medications include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin.
- Physical therapy—Pain can often be reduced or even eliminated via exercise programs, mobility strengthening movements, and deep-muscle massages.
- Acupuncture—Inserting thin needles into the skin can interrupt pain signals in the body, giving patients relief from chronic pain.
- Surgery—Chronic pain is often caused by abnormalities in the body, which can only be corrected via surgery.
- Injections or nerve blocks—When surgery isn’t an option or is too risky, patients may benefit from numbing injections or nerve blocks that prevent them from feeling chronic pain.
Were you or someone you love harmed by an opioid medication? If so, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact the drug injury lawyers at Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel today for a free consultation to find out how we can help.