Dangers of prescription opiates

With the NHS at breaking point, waiting lists for surgeries on painful conditions have spiralled to 5.6 million during the pandemic.

It’s little wonder GP prescriptions of powerful painkillers like codeine, tramadol and morphine for patients in pain rose by 40 per cent.

But these drugs are potent, hard to get off and can bring addiction in as little as 72 hours. Many people struggle to stop. Of those who succeed, half relapse, leaving them suffering the strain of withdrawal again.

People in physical pain need help, but at what cost? The dangers of opiate addiction are real, and NICE recommended this summer those in chronic pain are no longer prescribed them, and instead given anti-depressants and therapy.

Every year, the number of people in the UK dying from opiate abuse rises, according to the Office of National Statistics.

I wrote a report about this important issue for Woman’s Own. Subscribe/buy your copy for digital download here to read it in full (you’ll need the issue on sale 11th October 2021).

Special thanks to the head of treatment and their great team at UKAT, the UK’s leading alcohol and addiction rehab provider for their expert insight.

For help and support stopping opiates, visit the NHS’ benzodiazepine and opiate withdrawal services here.