Senior Pain

The Dangers of Opioids

Opioids are a class of drugs that include both prescription senior pain relievers and illegal substances. Derived from the opium poppy plant or synthesized to mimic natural opiates, opioids are highly effective for pain management but come with significant risks. more one best article Senior sex.

Types of Opioids

Prescription Opioids:

• Morphine: Commonly used for severe pain, especially after surgery.
• Codeine: Often used for mild to moderate pain and as a cough suppressant.
• Oxycodone: Found in medications like OxyContin and Percocet, used for moderate to severe pain.
• Hydrocodone: Present in drugs like Vicodin, used for moderate to severe pain.
• Fentanyl: A powerful synthetic opioid used for severe pain, particularly in cancer patients.
• Methadone: Used for pain relief and as part of addiction treatment programs.

Illegal Opioids:

• Heroin: An illegal opioid derived from morphine, known for its potent euphoric effects.

The Dark Side of Opioids: Addiction and Withdrawal

While opioids can effectively manage pain, they are highly addictive. Even when taken as prescribed, they can lead to physical dependence and addiction. This addiction often leads to devastating consequences, both physically and psychologically.

Symptoms of Opioid Addiction:

• Increased Tolerance: Needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect.
• Dependence: Experiencing withdrawal symptoms without the drug.
• Cravings: Intense urge to use opioids.
• Neglecting Responsibilities: Ignoring personal and professional duties.
• Risky Behaviors: Engaging in dangerous activities to obtain or use opioids.

Withdrawal Symptoms:

Withdrawal from opioids can be extremely challenging and is often described as a “living nightmare.” Symptoms include:

• Muscle Aches: Intense muscle pain and discomfort.
• Restlessness: Inability to stay still, anxiety, and agitation.
• Sweating and Chills: Profuse sweating followed by chills.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Persistent feelings of nausea and frequent vomiting.
• Diarrhea: Severe, watery bowel movements.
• Dilated Pupils and Goosebumps: Enlarged pupils and raised bumps on the skin.
• Cramping and Abdominal Pain: Severe stomach pain and cramps.
• Rapid Heartbeat and High Blood Pressure: Increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure.

The Toll of Opioid Overdoses

The opioid crisis has led to a staggering number of overdose deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2023. Opioids, particularly synthetic opioids like fentanyl, were a major contributor to these deaths.

A Safer Alternative: CBD for Pain Relief

Given the significant risks associated with opioid use, finding a safer alternative for pain relief is crucial. This is where CBD (cannabidiol) comes in. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants that has been shown to provide effective pain relief without the risk of addiction or severe side effects.

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis plants, including hemp. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound in cannabis that gets you high, CBD does not produce a high. Instead, it offers a range of therapeutic benefits, including pain relief and a sense of well-being.

How CBD is Produced

CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, a variety of cannabis that contains low levels of THC. The extraction process involves harvesting the hemp, drying it, and using various methods (such as CO2 extraction) to isolate the CBD compound. The result is a pure form of CBD that can be used in various products https://www.projectcbd.org/what-is-cbd.

Benefits of CBD:

• Pain Relief: Effective in managing chronic pain, arthritis, and other conditions.
• Maintaining Alertness: Unlike opioids, CBD does not cause drowsiness or impair cognitive function.
• Sense of Well-being: Promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety, contributing to an overall sense of well-being.

Forms of CBD

CBD is available in various forms to suit different preferences and needs:

• Oils and Tinctures: Liquid extracts taken under the tongue for quick absorption.
• Edibles: Gummies, chocolates, and other food products infused with CBD.
• Capsules: Pills containing CBD oil for convenient dosing.
• Topicals: Creams, balms, and lotions applied directly to the skin for localized relief.
• Vapes: CBD oil that can be inhaled using a vape pen for fast-acting effects.
• Smokable Hemp: Dried hemp flowers that can be smoked for immediate relief.

CBD & Senior Pain Management

Older adults often suffer from chronic pain, but they should avoid, at all costs, the risk of addiction to opioids. While opioids are preferable for extreme pain, such as an anesthetic for broken bones or surgery, they should not be used for prolonged periods.

Many doctors have irresponsibly prescribed opioids in response to patient complaints about pain, leading to high rates of addiction https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db491.pdf

To emphasize this point, a recent Wall Street Journal front-page article entitled: ‘Medicare’s Opioid Limits Didn’t Protect This Doctor’s Patients from Deadly Overdoses’ wherein ‘At least 21 of Dr. Ricky Lockett’s Medicare patients died of overdoses, and he wrote 2,800 opioid prescriptions for those who survived them. ‘I try to be conservative,’ he said. https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/medicare-opioids-overdose-doctor-9b7d49d1?mod=hp_lead_pos7

The trick is not to get hooked on opioids and to get off them before you become addicted. Prolonged use of opioids inevitably leads to addiction, making it imperative to find alternative pain management solutions.

CBD offers a safer, non-addictive alternative that provides effective pain relief while maintaining alertness and promoting a sense of well-being.

Buy Recommended CBD

We work with CDB Pure.com, a high-quality and well-established online CDB vendor with an excellent reputation and many positive reviews.

CBDPure was founded in 2016 with a simple mission, to make the highest-quality CBD oil available, and back that with public third-party lab test results and an iron-clad 90-day money-back guarantee.

• We recommend that you try CDB Relief 3000 MG taken under the tongue for quick absorption and relief.
• We also recommend that you try CDB Softgell 750 MG Pills containing CBD oil for convenient and accurate dosing.

If you intend to take the product on an ongoing basis, we recommend that you buy a monthly subscription at a 20% Discount. This way, you’ll never run out.

Pure Hemp CBD is another high-quality CBD vendor company whose products are worth consideration.

We recommend Pure Hemp CBD’s ‘Full Spectrum CBD Oil 5000 MG’, which is the company’s strongest oil yet, for those who require a larger milligram dose and those looking for significant relief. Also, we suggest that you do not initially subscribe, but rather start off with a One-Time purchase, just to make sure that the product is right for you.

Affiliate Disclaimer

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, Senior Solutions Org. may earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our mission to provide valuable information and resources to seniors. We only recommend products and services that we believe will benefit our readers.

Medical Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking other medications. The recommendations and information provided here should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

References

• World Health Organization. “Cannabidiol (CBD) Critical Review Report.” 2018.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder.” 2022. 
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Buprenorphine.” 2021.
• American Society of Addiction Medicine. “The ASAM National Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: 2020 Focused Update.” 2020.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).” 2021.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “U.S. Overdose Deaths Decrease in 2023, First Time Since 2018.” 2024.
• National Center for Health Statistics. “Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 2002-2022.” 2024.
• National Library of Medicine. “Cannabidiol (CBD) — what we know and what we don’t.” 2021.
• Harvard Health Publishing. “Cannabidiol (CBD) — what we know and what we don’t.” 2021.