Talk to Your Doctor About Managing Your Pain

Image of a young man talking with his doctor

You and your doctor both play a role in finding the best way to manage your pain.

Doctors prescribe opioids – like hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine – to treat moderate to severe pain. Opioids are often prescribed following a surgery or injury or for certain health conditions. These medications carry serious risks of addiction and overdose, especially with prolonged use.

Some patients may experience negative side effects like the ones listed below, even when they take their opioid medication as directed:

Tolerance—meaning you might need to take more of a medication for the same pain relief
Physical dependence—meaning you have symptoms of withdrawal when a medication is stopped
Increased sensitivity to pain
Nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth
Confusion
Sleepiness and dizziness
Depression
Itching and sweating

While opioids can be an important part of treatment, they also come with serious risks. That is why it is important to work with your doctor to make sure you are getting the safest, most effective care. A simple conversation with your doctor can help prevent opioid addiction and overdose.

The Dangers of Prescription (Rx) Opioids

Opioids can be dangerous, and anyone can become addicted. Studies have shown that even just three days of opioid treatment can increase the likelihood of chronic opioid use.1 It only takes a little to lose a lot. Risks include misuse, abuse, opioid use disorder (addiction), and overdose.

Opioids affect the part of the brain that controls breathing. If you take a dosage that is too high, it can slow your breathing and cause death.

Combining opioids with alcohol or certain other drugs – like benzodiazepines (Xanax or Valium), sleep aids, muscle relaxants, hypnotics (Ambien or Lunesta), and other prescription opioids – increases your risk of overdose and death.2

Start a Conversation with Your Doctor about Prescription (Rx) Opioids

You can help prevent prescription opioid misuse by first starting a conversation with your doctor. Protect yourself, loved ones, and others by talking about your questions and concerns regarding opioid medications.

Ask about the risks and benefits of prescription opioids, so you and your doctor can together decide what’s best.
Ask your doctor about non-opioid options for pain relief.
Let your doctor know about any other medications you take.

Image of a young woman talking with her doctor

Facts about Opioid Misuse & Overdose

10 million Americans (age 12+) reported misusing opioids in 2018.3
Most of the opioid misuse from the past year is from prescription opioids, specifically 9.9 million people.3

Treatment Support

Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline:
1-800-622-HELP.

See SAMHSA’s Opioid Treatment Program Directory and FindTreatment.gov for quality treatment centers in your state.

Tips to Reduce the Risk of Prescription (Rx) Opioid Addiction

Do not share medication with others. Only take prescription medication that is prescribed to you.
Take medication as directed by your doctor. Never take opioids in greater amounts or more often than prescribed.
Keep medicines in a safe and secure place. It’s best to store opioids in a place that is locked, like a keyed medicine cabinet or drawer, to keep them secure from children, family, friends, and visitors.
Properly discard expired or unused prescription opioids. Remove them from your home as soon as possible to reduce the chances of misuse. To get rid of prescription opioids and other medications safely:
- Find a medicine take-back option near you: TakeBackDay.DEA.gov;external icon
- Check with your pharmacist to see if you can return unused medication to the pharmacy.