The Economist reports a surge of heroin use in the US. Three quarter of heroin addicts began their opioid use from prescription pain drugs. According to CDC, there is 300% increase in sales of opioid since 1999. It is not hard to see where the problem is coming from.
Currently we are in a pain epidemic. About one quarter of Americans suffers from chronic pain. The public and the medical community must face this difficult reality and realize that reliance on prescription pain drugs are not a real solution. Any real solution must incorporate lifestyle change, like diet and exercise, with complementary and alternative medicine. Physical therapy, chiropractics, acupuncture and medical massage must be promoted for the health of the nation.