Friday, April 20, 2018
Pathway to Addiction: Painkillers are Changing the Game for Athletes
In this article/video, you will read about high school athletes and their use of painkillers. With the current rise of opioid addiction, especially in Ohio, one athletic trainer talks about the new responsibilities ATs in Ohio have in dealing with those situations. What are your thoughts on the use of painkillers for long-term injuries? What about for high school students? Do you think AT's/Medical Professionals on the sideline of high school games should start carrying Narcan because of the rise of opioid overdosages?
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We face a huge drug problem in the world and it used to be thought that high school students were less likely to be addicted because it could ruin their career as an athlete, but as the article states this seems to longer be the case. With so many injuries in high school athletes painkillers are on the rise, which often leads to addiction. Medication is not always the answer, but sometimes it is needed to help athletes sleep or those who are in severe pain. The article states that doctors should be cautious of how often and to whom they give prescriptions to because a prescription can easily turn into an addiction that could end a person’s life or career. There are other ways to get athletes healthy than using painkillers such as rehab, heat, ice, and a TENS unit, which helps stimulate the body’s endorphins. As you can see pain medications are not the only answer and though they may be prescribed at the beginning of an injury they do not always need to be refilled, instead doctors can start looking at alternative ways to get the patient healthy and playing again. Not only is it important to keep athletes healthy and injury free, but mentally healthy and drug free.
ReplyDeleteI never knew this became such a big problem as it has become for high school athletes to abuse pain killers. Most athletic trainers and doctors can sense if a parent is asking for more medication for their that patient then that becomes a question if they truly need it. Now kids who have been addicted to heavy dosed prescription pain mediation they move to heroin. This is tragic for such young student athletes to want that feeling free of pain. James Hideg who has been an AT for nearly 40 years says the best thing for an athlete to recover is to get the body moving, ice, and rehab to increase endorphins that way. If movement still doesn't work there is an alternative device for painkillers called a TENS unit, which is a small electrical device that helps stimulate the body's endorphins. Hideg said it is his job to save anyone's life if someone were to collapse of overdose with a naloxone reversal drug but it saddens him the opioid epidemic has come this far into high school sports. Personally if I ever become a trainer and am working in a bad school district with drug abuse I surely will carry the naloxone drug just incase it is needed while on the job. I most certainly will be paying more close attention to the way my students in rehab react if they get fidgety and try and talk to them and keep them mentally stable and drug free. No young teenager should become addicted to prescription drugs, but it does happen and in case overdose occurs I would like to be prepared with a drug that counteracts those effects.
ReplyDeleteThis article is talking about how performance athletes are less likely to abuse illegal drugs, but injuries can start a gateway to a drug addiction, especially prescription pain killers. However, once the pain killers become harder to get and more expensive, then they will turn to cheaper things such as heroin. Since this is a rising problem, there was a meeting warning athletic trainers of this problem, and they are not allowed to carry naloxone on this sidelines. One thing mentioned in this article is that "motion is lotion" which means that it is better for the athlete to move around instead of taking a pill. I think that this article shows an accurate representation of the reality of how pain killers can start an addiction, even in high school students. However, I do think that pain killers can be beneficial in long tern injuries as long as they do not start to become abused, but it can be very easy for that to happen. I can see why it is a concern that athletic trainers should start carrying narcan because of the rising opioid problem. However, it is crazy to think that the drug problem are becoming so dangerous that athletic trainers should start carrying narcan.
ReplyDeleteI don’t personally believe that pain killers should be used long term because, to me, they should only be used short term. If you are still needing to use pain killers for a long extent of time, then clearly something is still not fixed correctly and a different approached should be put out. After a certain time, frame also, pain killers will be something that your body craves to need instead of just using to get a well-rested sleep to come back for therapy, just like the article had said. In high school students can get seriously injured just the same as a professional can so pain killers should be a loud to give to high school students. I believe that they need to be well monitored though and taught about the consequences that can happen if not taking pain killer correctly and responsibly. This is where the AT/medics come in about making sure to teach their patients about pain killers and what different outcomes can happen. I don’t personally think it would be bad for AT/Medics to have them on the sidelines for athletes who have an old injury that brings pain every once in a while. That way they can have them and still be able to function in the game if aloud, but then know that they should go to therapy or take an ice bth after instead of thinking they need to take another pain killer.
ReplyDeleteI was not aware of the sudden rise in injury related opioid addiction in high school aged athletes. I think that athletes who are experiencing long term injuries should be given alternative routes to reduce pain levels. Examples of these alternatives were discussed in the video, they include things such as rehab, ice, and rest. Another alternative is a device known as a TENS unit, this uses electrical impulses to stimulate the body's endorphins, decreasing pain. In part I think that the prescribers are at fault for being so willing to give young adults pills without a great level of hesitation or familiarity with the person.To receive narcotic like substances, a more detailed process should have to take place, possibly even discussion between the athletic trainer and the prescribing physician under the assumption that the athletic trainer is more aware of the details of the injury. Young people are already highly susceptible to addiction, even without being given the means to do so, with the added pressure to perform well in athletics for their college futures, they may be even more likely to become addicts. It is a sad thing that addiction is becoming so prevalent in the athletic community, athletics trainers should not have to alter their job description to include the administration of Narcan to athletes and spectators, however it is now necessary and potentially life saving for some.
ReplyDeleteThe use of painkillers for long-term injuries is unnecessary in my opinion. It is unnecessary because if there is nothing else you can do to try and lower your pain or get better than you’re heading down the slippery slope to an addiction. If you need to use some over the counter painkillers for a day where something is particularly bad then that is okay but if it keeps happening more, and more, and more that you need to use those painkillers to get through a game or practice something else needs to be done. Personally I feel like AT’s should carry or at least have it nearby incase an athlete does overdose or some type of opioid or if somebody in the crowd has an overdose. That way they AT’s can administer the Narcan and care for the athlete or spectator until help arrives and that in turn could save somebody's life where the alternative is noticing an overdose and waiting for EMS to arrive and hoping they are fast enough that the person overdosing doesn’t die or have very serious long term effects. Although by giving the AT’s Narcan you’re giving them the added stress of while having to watch their athletes they also have to watch the crowd to make sure nobody is overdosing in there.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what the Physical therapist was saying on how the pain killers aren't always necessary, and how they should use them during sleep so that they don't really get the affects of them while awake. In today's day and age people like to take the easy way out, and feel like medicine is always the best option so they rely on it so much, but since it is so easy to get and is prescribed so often that people start to build up a tolerance so they need higher prescription and feel like they need to be on them all the time, and that's where the addiction comes from. I feel that the pain-killers do not need to be used for long term injuries, I think they should only be used right after surgery when there is a lot of pain, but then after that is should be natural such as stretching, and strengthening to get rid of the pain, or help manage it. However I do think that it is smart for AT's to have Narcan on the sidelines because of the rise in opioid overdoses so it is possible that they have a situation where they would have to save an athletes life with this.
ReplyDeleteI think painkillers for long-term injuries should be judged by a better case to case situation. I think often they give out painkillers too easily to patients who go through minor surgeries and do not really need them because ibuprofen would work just as well. I have had several injuries in my life, including a minor surgery on my ankle and although some pain came with the surgery, I never needed the painkillers that were prescribed to me. When it comes to high school students, younger individuals tend to heal quicker than those who are older. I believe you should try putting off getting high schoolers, or really anyone, painkillers as much as you can because they are easily addicting and can ruin a life. Although they make a point about not being able to get prescribed drugs, so instead they use marijuana or even worse heroin I think at that point why given them the prescription just for an addiction. In the article Hideg made a great point of getting them moving as soon as you can so you can stop the prescription before the addiction begins, the shorter amount of time they are on the drug the lesser chance the have for addiction. I do not see what it would hurt for AT’s to carry naloxone on the sideline because of the rise in opioid overdose. I understand it is not their job to save fans lives, but if they have the option to I do not see what it would hurt.
ReplyDeleteAs an Ohioan I have seen what has happened to many communities around me with the opioids epidemic and it has become a very large problem within our state and even country. I believe that once it spreads through the athletic communities in colleges, high schools, and even the professional sports the athletic training professionals will have to deal with this epidemic one time or another. I believe that there should be stipulations on the amount and types of painkillers that we prescribe to people who have went through surgeries. Painkillers, I think, are the easy way out of a surgery. I believe that you should have a few for the bad day that you may have post operation but when you use them every day, all day then it should be overuse. High school students shouldn’t have access to painkillers constantly but there intake should be monitored by the doctor and parents. I think athletic trainers should have access to Narcan because anyone could have a problem with drugs and you don’t always know that about them. Athletic training is a growing profession which comes with responsibility that they may have to deal with anything and everything that comes their way. In conclusion, athletic trainers should have access to Narcan because they know the athletes that have access to the painkillers that could lead to overdoses and even be fatal. Athletes need to be taught how to properly take and use drugs and when the proper time to take them.
ReplyDeleteDue to their addictive nature I believe that painkillers such as opioids can be used as part of a treatment plan for long-term injuries, but should be used with extreme caution. Before prescriptions are written for these drugs, a thorough knowledge of past family history should be taken to identify those predisposed to addiction. These patients should be introduced to other methods of pain relief before resorting to these painkillers, if at all. I think that high school students shouldn’t be given these drugs, except as a very last resort as well. Unfortunately, it’s pretty easy for painkiller usage to get out of hand in teens. With that said, I think it would be in the best interest of student athletes if AT's/Medical Professionals on the sideline of high school games started carrying Narcan. It is a great tool that can help save lives when it comes to overdosages. However, I think that there needs to be someway to hold the athlete accountable after the Narcan has been used on them. I don’t think that there’s merit in saying that it will invite high schoolers to take more drugs, I worry that it might make them feel just a little bit more comfortable coming to practice under the influence.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article, it is very sad that we have to be talking about this. Drugs have became a huge issue in this world and they have especially been on the rise in Ohio. It is not good to take illegal drugs and even prescription drugs. In my opinion, prescription drugs are not good to take even if they are pain killers. I know at some point in everyone's lives, they will go through some type of incident where they have to take a prescription. When going through an injury, some people think it is necessary to take pain killers to get through the injury, but in reality it is not. I know some people take painkillers just for a headache. Once you take them, your body can get used to them and become addicted to them. Eventually however, after taking painkillers for awhile you become immune and the painkillers do not work anymore. In the article Hideg, who is a certified athletic trainer and physical therapist, says that once the painkillers get too expensive, people go the cheaper route and start doing heroin. This leads to the conclusion that taking any type of drug, can lead to worse habits. The article also talks about how athletic trainers are administering opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone on the sidelines now. As bad as it is, it is probably necessary for the athletic trainers to have naloxone just in case of an overdose.
ReplyDeleteIn this generation it doesn’t surprise me how often drug abuse occurs just because of factors like this that was told in the video. I understand why painkillers are needed for long-term injuries just because the fact that almost a year ago I had reconstruction on my ACL and I was in a lot of pain so yes having the ability to have excuses to pills was a huge relief. I guess it is okay for Athletic Trainers to give out painkillers but that athlete has to go through a doctor in order to be able to get the painkillers that the Athletic Trainer will proved them. I also know that if a certified Athletic Trainer was able to just give the painkillers away without any documents then they would be able to see if the athlete actually needs it or not. But I do not think its an Athletic Trainer responsibility to give painkillers to parents or coaches, they are only responsible for the athletes that they take care of. But I do agree with what Jim Hideg said that it’s always better to do it the old fashion way which is ice and rehab. It’s better to do this then allow an athlete to turn to addiction and use the painkillers in a way that doesn’t benefit them whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteAthletes have been known to use performance enhancing drugs to become a better athlete but on average, because it puts their performance in jeopardy, these athletes tend to not do illegal drugs as much. However, the question of injuries also comes up and with pain in these injuries means that they are most likely taking pain medications to help soothe the pain away so that they can not only feel better, but they are more likely to also perform much better as well. This is okay until the pain medications start to become addictive. Some athletes are using so much pain medications that it is starting to have adverse effects on not only their bodies but also their minds as well. This can change an athlete who has never done drugs before to become addicted to the pain medications because of how addictive they are after using them for so long to help make their pain go away. Prescription pain killers are also being questioned when athletes start to not only become addicted to the drug itself, but when the player becomes so addicted that it is starting to become unrealistic to pay for. When this happens, they turn to other addictive drugs such as heroin, which starts in the long process of an addictive lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteIn today's society painkillers are seen as no big deal. Drug problems have been on an uprise for the past couple years. This article talked about how professional or high school and collegiate athletes are less likely to abuse drugs, but when injury occurs painkillers are a gateway drug for abusive drugs. I think that injury in athletes is also on the uprise due to the immense amount of pressure and stress to achieve well. When injury occurs athletes have to go on painkillers to reduce the pain. I think that doctors and physical therapist need to find other ways for athletes to cope with pain. The article talks about alternative pain relievers such as, rehab, ice, and rest. The article talks about how doctors need to take special interest in how often they are writing out prescription drugs to athletes and who those people are. I think that athletic trainers should carry some Narcan with them just for safety purposes. If athletic trainers carry narcan their is a greater chance of saving an athletes lives and maybe even fans. Overall, this article was very education and interesting. It is important for all athletes to be aware of how your body can get addicted to drugs.
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