Patient Resources

Advocates for Prescription Opioid Reform
prescriptionopioidreform.com

Families, Patients, and Doctors, Hoping for Change

PATIENT RESOURCES

Below you will find education and information resources. We hope this information will allow you to be a more informed patient. This includes some of the latest research regarding prescription opioids.

Please note that in many of these articles/research, the word "addiction", when referring to pain patients is used frequently, as opposed to the word "dependent".

Also, below are videos regarding medically prescribed opiates and addiction, which we think will be helpful in determining the benefits and risks of narcotic/opioid pain medications.

We start with what we believe is the most important brochure any physician or patient could read:

MYTHS AND FACTS BROCHURE
for
CAUTIOUS, EVIDENCE-BASED,
OPIOID PRESCRIBING
written by
PHYSICIANS FOR RESPONSIBLE OPIOID PRESCRIBING
(PROPS)

Below are 2 articles written by Dr. Stephen Gelfand, a Rheumatologist, called the "Perils of Pain Meds, Opioid overuse is a dangerous path for patients, and physcians", written in 2007, and SELF-MANAGEMENT IN CHRONIC DISEASES:

Read full article:
Perils of Pain Meds, Opioid overuse is a dangerous path for patients, and physcians

excerpt:

"In view of the well-documented risks of opioids, careful patient selection and prudent use should be the standard. Pain should not be managed in isolation without an understanding of its roots, just as fever mandates a search for causes. Under-treatment should refer not only to drug therapy, but also to the absence of important non-drug interventions. Hopefully, this approach will reduce inappropriate opioid use as well as associated morbidity and mortality."

SELF-MANAGEMENT IN CHRONIC DISEASES
MUSCLE AND MIND SELF-MANAGEMENT

Obtaining maximum outcomes in chronic noncancer pain and other medical disorders

Excerpt:
"One of the most important but frequently overlooked forms of medical treatment today, which is necessary for the optimal outcome of many medical conditions, is referred to as self-management [as contrasted with medication management]. This involves active patient participation in non-drug methods that produce beneficial biological effects which can reduce the severity of a particular medical disease or condition. In fact, these techniques may actually enhance the effectiveness of medications, frequently permitting dosage reductions or even discontinuation of certain drugs."......

Other medical & journal articles, videos about prescription pain meds:

OPIOIDS FOR CHRONIC NON-TERMINAL PAIN (BALLANTYNE)

PAIN MEDICINE REPAIRING A FRACTURED DREAM

PAULOZZI-KILBOURNE 2011 EVALUATION

2011 TRENDS IN OPIOID USE AND DOSING TORONTO

AJPM Poisoning by Prescription Drugs on the Rise

ANESTHESIOLOGY

Long-term Opioid Treatment of Nonmalignant Pain A Believer Loses His Faith ARCH INT.

Cautionary Guidelines for the Use of Opioids in Chronic Pain

STATE ISSUE BRIEF ON METHADONE OVERDOSE DEATHS

VARIOUS VIDEOS:

EXERPTS FROM New York Academy of Medicine DOCUMENTARY: