Opioid Abuse Post-Surgery and Tips for Safe Pain Management
April 13, 2015
Hosted by Mary Woods
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Episode Description
Pain relief after surgery is an important part of the recovery process. Yet, millions of Americans report having used opioid prescription painkillers for nonmedical purposes at least once in their lives. No one disputes that opioid abuse is a problem, but what people may not know is it can start in a post-surgical setting. A New York City Department of Health study (reported in JAMA in June 2013) found that newly prescribed opioids after short-stay surgery are associated with a 44 percent increase in risk of becoming a long-term opioid user within 1 year. In July 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more woman die from prescription medications than from car crashes. The study found that roughly 42 women in the U.S. die each day from prescription drug overdoses, like opioid painkillers such as Oxycontin or Vicodin. Since 1999, the percentage increase in deaths among women was more than 400 percent compared to 265 percent in men.
One Hour AT A Time
Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
Recovery, whether it is from substance abuse or a mental illness, or both requires a treatment plan, which in many cases is as effective as treatments for other chronic illnesses. “One Hour AT A Time” will increase awareness about recovery and decrease the discrimination against individuals in the recovery process. Host Mary Woods, will help people understand the recovery of adults and families living with co-occurring substance use disorders and psychotic and/or affective illness over the course of a lifetime. Helping individuals develop the skills and knowledge they need to take personal responsibility for their health and supporting individuals in their efforts to get on with life beyond illness has been Mary’s mission and she now brings that mission to the airwaves.
Mary Woods
Mary is the CEO of WestBridge Community Services. She is also a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with more than 25 years experience in substance abuse services and community mental health programs. Mary has conducted extensive workshops and trainings with a primary focus in Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change Theory and Integrated Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders. She is also a contributor to the development of the Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment Practitioners and Clinical Supervisors Workbook and Practice Demonstration Video. Mary was the Chairperson of the NH State Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professionals. She has been a member of the NH Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor’s Association since 1984, and has served as the Northeast Regional Vice President for the NAADAC, the Association of Addiction Professionals, President of NAADAC and is currently past president of NAADAC.
