The Use – and Misuse – of Opioids

For centuries, people have used various types of opioids for pain relief. These powerful drugs are very effective for acute pain from a broken leg, bad burn, or recent surgery. Unfortunately, opioids are often overused, or misused for lesser aches and pains, or abused as recreational drugs. As we have learned from America’s raging opioid crisis, these drugs can be extremely addictive.

In this podcast, Dr. Ramanu Naidu, Medical Director of Pain Management at MarinHealth Medical Center talks about pain relief and how opioids work compared to other types of medications used to control pain. Dr. Naidu covers a variety of topics, including the difference between dependency and addiction, and the social, cultural, and hereditary factors that can make people more prone to opioid addiction.