One of the great tragedies of our time is the explosive opioid epidemic that continues to rage across America. Opioids are relatively inexpensive, widely available, and have a tremendous potential for getting a person “hooked.” This is especially the case when taken in high dosages or for a prolonged period. While opioids are fantastic at relieving pain, there is a tendency for the person taking it to develop a tolerance to the drug over time. This means they require higher and higher doses to relieve their symptoms. Furthermore, patients can have severe withdrawal symptoms if and when they try to stop taking the opioid pain reliever. (more…)