‘Your Pain is Real. So Are the Risks’: New Campaign Raises Awareness About Dangers of Opioids

CDPH Your Pain Is RealPress release from the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services:

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently launched the “Your Pain is Real. So Are the Risks.” campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription medications that contain opioids and encourage patients to talk to doctors about safer pain management options.

The campaign features short descriptions of the potential hazards of opioids and offers resources to begin addiction treatment. Community residents will see these materials at grocery stores around the county.

The complexity of the opioid crisis requires a coordinated response,” said Dana Murguia, senior program manager for the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Public Health branch. “We work with community partners such as Rx Safe Humboldt and Humboldt Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention to help prevent opioid addiction and overdose through drug treatment, support for safe prescribing practices and naloxone distribution.”

The misuse of prescription pain medications that contain opioids, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine and codeine, can lead to addiction, overdose and death.

In 2017, 18 county residents visited emergency departments and 24 were hospitalized because of an opioid-related overdose. Twenty-eight people died from opioid-related overdoses during the same year.

To learn more about CDPH’s campaign, visit TheRisksAreReal.cdph.ca.gov. For information about local opioid addiction prevention efforts, contact DHHS’s Healthy Communities Division at 707-268-2132 or [email protected].

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Taurus Ballzhof
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Taurus Ballzhof
5 years ago

One thing is clear here, Opioid drugs are in high demand, and can be effective in the short run, if used carefully.

Opioid drugs and treatment of long term pain, is another story entirely.

Over the counter pain and anti inflammatory medications have large numbers of side effects, and Ibuprofen should be banned!

Go to a dentist and try to get effective pain control for your extraction or root canal…

Meanwhile, the local government is trying to control drug addiction while at the same time, promoting pot farming.

Does anybody else have a problem with this?

I am feeling like Humboldt County is against patients and physicians, whilst promoting drugs and drug usage, and, I think HCHD needs to examine its policy related to warnings about misuse of medicine…

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago

Why should ibuprofen be banned?

“Meanwhile, the local government is trying to control drug addiction while at the same time, promoting pot farming. ”

Well yes since “pot” is no more addictive than food, sex, or gambling and can help opioid users reduce their use.

Taurusballzhoff
Guest
Taurusballzhoff
5 years ago
Reply to  hmm

If you take Ibuprofen in the recommended dose, for acute moderate to severe pain, 800 mg/6hours, you will find out why. Google the known side effects (a long list). In my opinion, this is a dangerous drug and it should be avoided and probably should be taken off the market, although, in a small and infrequent dose, it sometimes can relieve minor pain.

Comparing marijuana use to sex and eating, seems a bit silly. Using marijuana is unnecessary, unnatural, affects normal neuro-chemical activity, and, is suspected in inducing psychosis:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/03/19/704948217/daily-marijuana-use-and-highly-potent-weed-linked-to-psychosis

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-03-high-potency-pot-strongly-linked.html

Sex and eating, are normal, necessary, and pleasant activities which also have neuro-chemical activity.

Gambling and certain drug use are different, dopaminergic activities, that cause harm. Eating chocolate, is one too!

Some things cause harm, but, promotion of drug production by a local government appears to conflict with attempting to limit the use of another class of drugs. In my opinion, local government agencies do not belong in the area of attempting to control the relationship between doctors and patients, any more than they belong in the arena of promotion of drug production and use. If a patient needs pain control, the patient should be able to get whatever the physician deems appropriate, without interference from a County Government.

My opinion only.

shak
Guest
shak
5 years ago

Cardiovascular Risk

NSAIDs may cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may increase with duration of use. Patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease may be at greater risk (See WARNINGS).
Ibuprofen tablets are contraindicated for treatment of peri-operative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (See WARNINGS).
Gastrointestinal Risk

NSAIDS cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients are at greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events. (See WARNINGS).
https://www.drugs.com/pro/ibuprofen.html

Thank you for the info to search for Taurus.

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago
Reply to  shak

Is this the first time you’ve ever looked at the potential side effects of a medication? You know they all have a long list of scary things, right?

hmm
Guest
hmm
5 years ago

But I have taken Ibuprofen in the recommended dose, which for me has always been 600mg every 4 hours, many times. In fact I just finished taking it for over a week, after orthopedic surgery and had no side effects. I took 6400mg per day for a couple weeks once. Of course that’s too much but I had no side effects.

I did however have horrible hypercontinence and nausea while taking Oxycontin. I cut the dose in half and stopped taking it a few days early.

All drugs have a long list of scary potential side effects. I understood you opinion the first time you offered it. Just thought you might know something I don’t.

The reason that the comparison is not silly is because cannabis has no more addictive potential than food or sex, which of course are not pleasant or healthy to be addicted too. The
NHS, WHO, APA ect all say that cannabis may trigger schizophrenia/psychosis for those with a predisposition. However, so can “emotionally intense events”. Im afraid your the victim of sensationalized news here.

“Some things cause harm, but, promotion of drug production by a local government appears to conflict with attempting to limit the use of another class of drugs”

Yeah i got the claim the first time, its simply unsupported.

“In my opinion, local government agencies do not belong in the area of attempting to control the relationship between doctors and patients . . .”

The you must agree that prop 64 should not have effected prop 215 and SB 420.

whatisurproblem
Guest
whatisurproblem
5 years ago

@ Taurus Balzhof BEST NAME EVER!!!

Forking it.
Guest
Forking it.
5 years ago

Yes I agree, it’s all about money ,& control , they are turning every one in to addicts of one thing then another,while they line there pockets and point there figures.look at the addicts.the addicts are doing it to there self’s. It’s not right. They are doing it, When in power one should be held to useing there power to do what’s right for the people that put you in power,NOT to just line ur own pockets & ur already rich friends /company’s. Power shouldn’t mean rich get richer,& they turn the rest in to addicts and allot of us die because of it.to be topped off with blameing us for our own addictions &deaths. This hole thing just pisses me off.

Willie Caso-Mayhem
Guest
5 years ago

🕯There is a way out of cycle. Not guaranteed for all but has a 75%to a 85% success rate. Working on three patients as we speak. 😁

Thirdeye
Guest
Thirdeye
5 years ago

Big Pharma is not gonna like this.

People take prescription opioids way too casually. When I had a hydrocodone prescription with an unused refill prerogative some years ago, a “friend” gave free rein to her scammy side. Saying no was probably the best thing I ever did for her. A friend of a friend started out with a legit prescription but was soon so completely strung out that she had to be barred from my friend’s house.

shak
Guest
shak
5 years ago

“The M I S U S E of prescription pain medications that contain opioids, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine and codeine, C A N lead to addiction, overdose and death.” (emphasis mine).

Yet there is nothing said about the opposite?
I’ll do it.
“The U S E of prescription pain medications that contain opioids, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine and codeine, can lead to R E L I E F of pain.” (used accordingly, as prescribed by a real doctor for real pain).

I’m against all corruption, but come on man. Unless there is proof that A L L the prescriptions, doctors and patients are wicked corrupt a$$hat$, who are we to stop the usage of pain relief in the millions who do N O T abuse their prescriptions? Wait. That’s all the proof I need right there. The millions who DO NOT abuse.

It’s like some kind of big push to force all the legitimate people to go underground and get the fentenal crap that W I L L kill them.

The pain is real in more ways than one.

Meme
Guest
Meme
5 years ago
Reply to  shak

Well said Shak!

Ann Hall
Guest
Ann Hall
5 years ago
Reply to  shak

Agreed, Shak! I am not addicted to opioids but I am addicted to having some relief from chronic pain.

shak
Guest
shak
5 years ago
Reply to  Ann Hall

Thousands more in your same boat, surely they (desk jockey pen pushers) must know this.
There’s got to be a better med replacement for people in chronic pain before they take away the one that works well. Hopefully someone will come along with the scoop.

Proud Deplorable Grandma
Guest
Proud Deplorable Grandma
5 years ago
Reply to  Ann Hall

Same here. I have been taking for 7 years and have not increased the dosage or frequency. If I did not have them I would be sitting in a recliner with a heating pad all day (and night). If for whatever reason, like going on a cruise, I am not that active, I do not need them. Nothing untoward happens when I do not take them.

Forking it.
Guest
Forking it.
5 years ago
Reply to  shak

Cow boy up people grow a set every one has pain some we’re every day,stop dwelling on it,daaaa tough up fucking baby’s.

cristal
Guest
cristal
5 years ago

Doctors suffering restrictions so they give tranks to potential opiates. To avoid being suit by dope sick patients.

cristal
Guest
cristal
5 years ago

Fentanyl replaces heroina with border security. Easy synthesis,you need no china man for that.

lynette matthews
Guest
lynette matthews
5 years ago

What is so very sad about the CDC’s blanket policy that first went into effect in 2006 and continues today is the dropping of “Individualized Patient Care”. This has had a horrible adverse impact on many individuals in need of pain management, especially those with chronic conditions, living longer with limited options. Just now being recognized by the CDC, because of lack of availability for opioid medication for chronic pain management, is the correlation between severe depression and its impact on the continued physical decline, making everyday living more and more difficult.

Meme
Guest
Meme
5 years ago

Absolute truth right there!

TJay
Guest
TJay
5 years ago

You hit the nail on the head.

They also forget about those of us that its really one of our only approved sources of pain control. Some of us can not take over the counter pain meds. Since constant use of many of these medications cause kidney and liver damage. If your already have kidney and liver problems from other health problems this is a serious concern.

Until federally CBD’s and medical is recognized across all the states. Opiates remain one of the few options for many chronic pain patients.

And believe me when I say this. I would love to not take Opiates at all, i dislike the side effects. But They allow me to function and live my live and run a business. Otherwise I would not be able to do that.

shak
Guest
shak
5 years ago

The President needs to hear this and any other pertinent info that can be of help to those who need their meds. What gets pushed onto his desk, and said in the briefings, doesn’t tell the whole story. It’s up to the people to fill in the blanks. Believe it or not, he seems to appreciate hearing pro’s and con’s of every issue. He needs to know more about this one.

2+2
Guest
2+2
5 years ago

“It’s like some kind of big push to force all the legitimate people to go underground and get the fentenal crap that W I L L kill them. ”

Yes, beat me to it- I was going to say just that. There seems to be a LOT more hard drugs coming into the county (and probably all of California) right now. There are people in this county who can no longer make money selling pot who are dealing harder stuff to pay the rent right now. It’s not pretty.

Just watch- what happened in New Hampshire will probably happen here as this push takes place. Prices on heroin (or heroin + fentenal) will drop below what booze costs. Then go up as they get more customers. & also a lot of very young customers I might add.

It’s no coincidence that heroin production went UP as the US got control of Afghanistan. There are some huge political players it seems.

Many of us that use prescription narcotics need them and are responsible about it. I myself get 30 pills of Vicodin per year. I rarely use them all in a year, I might use 20 on average, but when I need one it’s there and prevents a good deal of misery.

shak
Guest
shak
5 years ago
Reply to  2+2

What I just mentioned to Tjay, applies to all who are in the same boat and who have inside information that needs to be expedited to the President. It’s not fair to anyone that he’s not hearing all the important facts, he’s only hearing what’s being presented to him.
There’s got to be a better replacement med, but nobody’s talking about it if there is.

Wanano
Guest
Wanano
5 years ago

Morphine is the only way I can walk. After 21 years I’ve cut down my dosage because Of sheer will power. It takes 7 hard and very sick and painful days that you think will never end. They do end and then I felt very proud of myself. I dont think I’m addicted but I do know I’m defendant on opioids. When your in massive pain every time you move and there is help in the form of a pill, ask for it. Everyday pain is not the same thing as massive pain. Most people can’t understand andI hope they never have to. For the rest of us, be very careful your not enjoying your meds ..

shak
Guest
shak
5 years ago
Reply to  Wanano

These posts by legitimate people suffering through legitimate pain really breaks my heart. I’ll try to formulate a sensible letter to the President so that he is presented with the stories from the other side of the war on opiates. I don’t have the facts to back up my letter, only the patients have those. Please, everybody, take the time and present your side of the coin to him. He’s a person who goes by facts as well as spirit, not just one or the other. He needs to k n o w.

My sample letter.
Goal: Directly to the point. Cordial. Problem addressed, solution offered but not demanded. Respect given for a busy busy CEO who needs to get to the next letter on his desk which is hopefully people like you all who are searching for help with this issue. You have the personal facts, I only have the 4,000 ft view.
Score: Did I reach my goal? If not, what should be changed?

Dear Mr. President,
Thank you for taking the time to hear me out.
I appreciate the concern about addictive drugs and the war against the corruption that is married to the drug scene, BUT…
What are all the legitimate pain sufferers supposed to do if the opiates they rely on are banned?
If there is an alternative pain killer that works even better or just as well, without the concern for addiction, your Public Relations office needs to get the memo out ASAP and OFTEN.
People are seriously concerned about policies and wars that affect them personally. Their pain is real and so is their concern.
I don’t have the intel you have. I have no idea what info has been presented to you. But I do know that I can’t sit idly by while assuming you’ve been presented with all sides of the issue at hand.
Thank you for listening and hopefully we’ll be seeing and hearing compassionate and helpful facts from your office soon.
me.