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Alarming Trend: Middle Aged Women are Increasingly Overdosing on Prescription Painkillers

lonely depressed and sick middle aged woman sitting alone on kitchen floor in stress depression and sadness feeling miserable in barefoot looking desperate in black and white vertical composition

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If you are one of the many women across the U.S. struggling with your use of opioids for pain management, you are not alone.  There are some warnings and risks your doctor may not have mentioned. And there are treatments that can help if you feel your opioid use has become problematic.

The U.S. government has issued a sobering report that shows middle-aged women are dying at unprecedented rates from drug overdoses, and a large portion of those cases are attributed to prescription painkillers.
Women, who tend to suffer from conditions that spark long-term, chronic pain, are often prescribed opiate painkillers to reduce or eliminate pain and improve the quality of life. These medications, which can include oxycodone or hydrocodone, may be habit-forming and may lead to drug dependency or overdose.

CDC Director Says Strong Opioids Should Be Reserved For Cancer Pain

Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, said women in this category are dying at rates never seen before.  He also said strong opiate medications should be reserved for patients with severe cancer pain.  The report from the CDC lists common opioids used as Vicodin (hydrocodone), OxyContin (oxycodone), Methadone and Opana (oxymorphone).  Many women take these medications safely but proper use and a doctor’s supervision are very important.

Report Says Doctors Need To Stop Thinking Of Addiction As A Man’s Problem
Though men tend to take more risks when it comes to drugs, the report found that women are more likely to be prescribed a higher dosage of an opioid and use it for longer periods of time.
Doctors have traditionally thought of drug addiction as a man’s problem but should take women and their opiate use history into consideration before prescribing powerful opioids, the report said.  Most women don’t set out to become addicted to opiates or to suffer an overdose.  These are unfortunate consequences that may develop when the pain of illness or injury becomes too much to bear.

Women And Men Can Find Hope Again With Renowned Waismann Treatment
Fortunately, there is humane, individualized and non-judgmental treatment that can quickly eradicate opioid dependency.  Waismann Method’s rapid opiate detox program is renowned for safely, quickly and successfully helping to transition patients to wellness.
Long-term recovery is the main objective for Waismann Method, a company that prides itself on dignified treatment that works. Women with pain management issues who have developed problems with their opioid medication can detox safely and find new ways to manage their pain.
If you believe someone you know is abusing prescription painkillers, encourage them to talk to their doctor about it and consider other options.

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