One of the most significant risks associated with taking opioid painkillers is that they can be very addictive. According to a 2022 report, a staggering three million people in the United States and 16 million worldwide suffer from opioid addiction. In addition, if you have a history of substance abuse or addiction, you may be even more likely to become addicted to opioid painkillers.

Another risk of taking opioid painkillers is that you can develop a dependence on them, which differs from addiction in that it refers to the physical symptoms experienced in your body, not the behavior associated with addiction. When you become dependent on opioids, your body becomes accustomed to the presence of the drug and typically needs increasingly larger doses to achieve the same pain-relieving effect. If you suddenly stop taking opioids, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, such as:

Another serious risk associated with taking opioid painkillers is respiratory depression, which refers to slowing down your breathing. In severe cases, it can stop your breathing completely. If you have asthma or another lung condition, you may be more susceptible to this side effect.

Opioid painkillers can cause gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation and nausea. In some cases, they can also lead to more severe issues, such as intestinal blockages.

Another serious risk associated with taking opioid painkillers is overdose. These drugs can slow down your breathing and heart rate, and taking too much of them can lead to death. In fact, opioids are one of the leading causes of drug overdoses in the United States.

If you are taking opioid painkillers, it's essential to know exactly how much you should take each day. And in case of accidental overdose, you should also know the signs of overdose so you can contact emergency services immediately. The signs of opioid overdose include:

If you suspect you have overdosed on opioids or are exhibiting any of these symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. And if someone you know is showing these signs, try to wake them up and ask the 911 operator for instructions on performing rescue breathing. In addition, turning the person on their side as you wait for the ambulance can help prevent choking.

In addition to addiction and overdose, several other serious side effects can occur when taking opioid painkillers. These include constipation, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and dizziness. Some people have also reported hallucinations and delusions when taking these drugs. Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience any of these side effects.

Opioid painkillers can interact with other medications, causing various side effects. For example, they can interact with some antidepressants and increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Opioids can also interact with muscle relaxers, anti-seizure medications, and some antibiotics. Always talk to your doctor about every prescription and medicine you currently take before starting an opioid prescription to avoid potential interactions.

If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, several resources are available to help. The first step is to talk to your doctor. They can help you taper off the drugs and find other ways to manage your pain. There are also several addiction counselors and therapists who specialize in helping people recover from addiction.

Finally, several support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous, can provide you with additional support and resources. You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 365 days a year, 24/7.

While opioids can be an effective way to manage pain, they are not the only option. There are a lot of other pain management strategies that can be effective, such as:

Talk to your doctor about all the options available to you so that you can find the one that is best for you.

Yes, opioid painkillers can effectively manage pain, but they have serious risks. As a result, many doctors and patients prefer to avoid them altogether whenever possible, and with good reason. While short-term prescriptions might be necessary following a severe injury or an invasive surgery, such as a knee replacement, they're rarely the safest long-term pain management option.

If you're looking for alternatives to opioids for ongoing pain management, give the Kailo Pain Patch a try! Simply apply it near the site of pain and breathe a sigh of relief. You can wear Kailo all day during any activity, and it’s designed to relieve pain in seconds.

The best part? Kailo doesn’t involve any oral medication! The Kailo Pain Patch is theorized to work by interfering with the body’s electrical system. And a recent clinical study showed that 100% of patients stop prescription medication after using Kailo for pain relief.

Disclaimer: Kailo should not be used if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant. Always consult your doctor or health care professional before using Kailo.