The results are in: A Saint Louis University of Medicine research team discovered that it is possible to block the natural effect of tolerance build up when an opiate drug is taken over a long period of time. What does this mean? That new pain management regimens can be developed without incurring the side effects caused by constantly elevated levels of opiate drugs—including opiate addiction.

Daniela Salvemini, Ph.D. is a professor of internal medicine at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine and the lead author of the study. She says: “We believe these findings represent a major breakthrough in understanding how tolerance to the pain-relieving action of morphine and other opiate medications develops — and how it can be prevented from happening in the first place.”

Opioid-based prescription painkillers are tricky. An excellent way to nullify the experience of pain, the body’s natural development of tolerance requires higher and higher doses to continue to block pain. This brings about nasty side effects that include lethargy, respiratory problems, constipation and, of course, drug addiction.

This is both good and bad. It’s good that those who are dealing with chronic pain and must take some form of opiate pain medication in order to get any relief at all. It’s not so good in that people who would do better to find healthier ways of pain management may instead opt to continue taking drugs like morphine, Vicodin, and OxyContin. The fact remains that even if tolerance does not develops, the side effects of respiratory depression, over-sedation, and addiction will still occur with long-term use. A smaller amount of a substance for a year as opposed to an increasing amount for six months can still wreak havoc on the body.

If you are using opiate painkillers like Percocet, Lortab, Norco and the more common Vicodin, OxyContin and morphine prescriptions, then your best, healthiest bet is to break your addiction immediately. Luckily another laboratory breakthrough has created buprenorphine, better known as Subutex and Suboxone, which allows you to treat your addiction to opiates without having to enroll in a drug rehab facility. You still need to find a doctor certified to prescribe the drug, however. That’s where Meditox comes in.

For more information on this study and others, check out The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Yes, the party IS over - or rather, it should be if you have been taking opiated painkillers in amounts that exceed your prescription and/or for long periods of time.  It’s over — or rather WILL be over if you continue to abuse opioid medications because they are poisoning you.  Many do not realize that the opiates in, for example, Vicodin are what keep you dependent on the medication.  The narcotic addicts you, yes - but the other drugs in those harmless looking pills are what hurt you, damage your liver.  The pills weren’t designed to be taken by the handful each and every day.  I have seen toxins oozing out of a patient’s skin, the result of longterm Lortab or Vicodin usage.

If you are wondering what the best time to stop abusing painkillers - it’s NOW!  There are new ways to get off of these meds, to get on with your life and without having to stop it.  Outpatient Treatment is available, affordable, safe and confidential.  Think about it.  The party’s over.  Judy knew.  Check it out!