This interesting article shows how a group of patients with chronic pain are learning how to get off opioid drugs and some are having better results off them!

Pain management class aims to use alternative techniques to get patients off opioids

I didn’t know this about the percentage effectiveness of pain meds as opposed to other meds. Fascinating stuff, do have a read. Maybe using drugs with the alternative strategies, if needed, would be a good way to go.

“We know that opioids are about 30 percent effective in helping with pain…  Deep breathing, relaxation and meditation are about 50 to 60 percent effective,” said Amanda Bye, a psychologist with the program.  “We focus on diet.  We focus on exercise, changing their thoughts, helping with depression and anxiety, because we know negative emotions absolutely affect chronic pain,” she said.