The Dangers of Abusing Pain Medication After Car Accidents in Brooklyn
According to Nature, over 10 percent of all opioid abuse cases stem from injuries. The National Institutes of Health also notes that many patients continue to use opioids for weeks after their car accidents. Victims should be aware of the dangers of these drugs, and this awareness could be particularly important for those with histories of substance abuse. An auto accident lawyer in Brooklyn could help you access treatments that improve long-term outcomes, thereby reducing the need for continued opioid use.
The Prescription of Opioids Is Extremely Common After Car Accidents
Although the medical community has become well aware of the potential for opioid abuse, doctors continue to prescribe opioids to car accident victims. Some may argue that these drugs are important for pain management, especially after patients suffer serious physical auto injuries. Others argue that other drugs are equally effective for pain management while offering reduced potential for abuse and addiction.
Sources indicate that there may be a troubling lack of action from primary physicians and other healthcare providers when addressing this potential issue. Although almost all Americans today are aware of the potential for opioids to destroy families and lives, doctors may fail to explain the risks of addiction and abuse when providing these powerful drugs to car accident victims.
To make matters worse, prescription opioid use can increase the chances of future car accidents. A driver who is receiving this medication for a past injury is more likely to crash. Those who try to address their opioid addictions might switch to another substance, such as methadone. However, these replacement drugs can also increase the chances of future car accidents. As a result, opioid use has the potential to create a vicious cycle of new accidents, new injuries, and new addictions.
Alternatives to Opioids After Car Accidents
Opioids and pain medication may be crucial for the first few days after a major car accident injury. However, patients should only use this pain medication if it is absolutely necessary. If the pain is relatively manageable, patients might want to consider a drug with less abuse potential, such as Tylenol. Those who have no other choice but to use opioids after their car accidents should strive to stop using these drugs as soon as possible.
Long-term solutions could be far more viable than continuous use of pain medications. Speak with your doctors to determine whether treatments could reduce or eliminate your pain. For example, you might benefit from a kneecap replacement surgery if you are experiencing pain and stiffness in your knee that never seems to go away.
Can an Auto Accident Lawyer in Brooklyn Help Me?
An auto accident lawyer in Brooklyn may be able to help you access treatments that provide long-term relief, and this could reduce your dependence on opioids and other pain medications. An auto accident claim could provide you with the funds you need to pay for long-term solutions, such as surgeries, rehabilitation, and physiotherapy. Consider discussing your options in more detail with Cohan Law, PLLC.
Sources:
nature.com/articles/d42473-018-00356-x
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5242416/