Less Pain, Fewer Pills: Avoid the Dangers of Prescription Opioids and Gain Control over Chronic Pain

by Beth Darnall PhD

Overview

Chronic pain is a common medical problem shared by roughly 100 million Americans-close to one third of the U.S. population. In the past few decades there has been an alarming trend of using prescription opioids to treat chronic pain. But these opioids-the main prescribed analgesic-come with hidden costs, and this book reveals the ramifications of their use and provides a low or no-risk alternative. Armed with the right information, you can make informed decisions about your pain care. By appreciating the risks and limitations of prescription opioids, and by learning to reduce your own pain and suffering, you will gain control over your health and well-being. Each copy includes Beth Darnall's new binaural relaxation CD, Enhanced Pain Management.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781936693580
Publisher:	Bull Publishing Company
Publication date:	07/01/2014
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Beth Darnall, PhD, is a clinical associate professor in the division of pain medicine at Stanford University. She has more than 10 years’ experience treating adults with chronic pain and lived through her own chronic pain experience. She lives in Palo Alto, California.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Acknowledgments xi

Part I The Problem

Chapter 1 One Girl's Story 1

Chapter 2 A Painkiller Trap? 5

Chapter 3 Know Your Specific Risks 19

Chapter 4 Be Aware of Opioid Pitfalls 51

Part II Your Solution Is to Gain Control

Chapter 5 Know and Treat the Full Definition of Pain 79

Chapter 6 Calm Your Nervous System to Reduce Your Need for Prescription Opioids 97

Chapter 7 Shift Your Thoughts and Emotions to Reduce Your Need for Prescription Opioids 119

Chapter 8 Change Your Choices to Reduce Your Need for Pain Medication 153

Chapter 9 Tapering Off Prescription Opioids: Tips for Success 167

Chapter 10 Putting it All Together: Your Empowerment Program 177

Chapter 11 An Example of Mindful Use of Prescription Opioids 193

Appendix: Historical Notes 197

Glossary 201

Resources 209

References 212

Index 223

About the Author 231

Editorial Reviews

"What we forget is that opioids don’t simply dampen pain, they dampen everything—joy, energy, memory, social interactions, personality, life itself. If you want to fully experience life, you can—even if you have chronic pain — but not if you let opioids rule. Read this book and learn how to take back what you may have lost.” —Jane C. Ballantyne, MD, Professor of Education and Research; Director of the Pain Fellowship, University of Washington


“Every person with chronic pain can benefit from self-empowerment and the opportunity to reduce the need for drugs or medications. Dr. Darnall offers a critical review of chronic pain management and a thoughtful and pragmatic approach to self-empowerment — and to living with chronic pain in a manner that promotes as much personal wellbeing as is possible, ideally with fewer drugs and less pain.” —Philip Pizzo, MD, former dean and the David and Susan Heckerman Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine


“Pain is a difficult symptom that is often over-treated by opioids, which in themselves lower the quality of life. This book gives great real-world examples and tips on how to avoid this vicious cycle. Beth Darnall is a leading expert in her field and has helped thousands of people with pain.” —Kate Lorig, Dr. PH, Director and Professor Emeritus, Patient Education Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine


“This book is a wonderful guide to help those suffering from chronic pain to not only understand the pitfalls of long-term opioid use, but more importantly to return to good health and everyday life activities. Dr. Beth Darnall’s Less Pain, Fewer Pills offers readable and understandable advice to manage pain successfully while avoiding ineffective and harmful treatments, especially with opioids. For those suffering from unrelenting chronic pain, here is the guide that will make a difference.” —Steven D. Feinberg, MD, MPH, Board Certified, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Board Certified, American Board of Pain Medicine, past-president, American Academy of Pain Medicine


“Dr. Darnall writes clearly and with empathy, and her balanced approach will help anyone struggling with chronic pain. This book provides patients with the tools they need to take back control of their pain and their lives without having to rely on pain medications.” —Roger Chou, MD, associate professor of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University


“Dr. Darnall has created a book that eloquently articulates the perils of relying exclusively on opioids for the management of chronic pain. Through case studies and a very readable review of the scientific evidence, she makes a compelling case for utilizing non-opioids and behavioral therapies to manage ongoing pain. While this book is wholly accessible to lay readers, I would strongly encourage our medical colleagues, particularly those with substantial populations of pain patients to read this volume and to recommend it to their own patients and colleagues.” —Robert Paul Cowan, MD, FAAN,
professor of neurology, Stanford University School of Medicine, director, Stanford Headache Program


“Dr. Darnall’s new book provides a refreshing approach to reduce reliance on prescription opioids for chronic pain. The book not only provides an accurate description of the problems related to long-term opioid use—it also presents an effective, step-by-step approach to eliminate the use of prescription opioids.” —W. Michael Hooten, MD, division of pain medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota


“Dr. Darnall offers a refreshing approach to sensible opioid-use reduction by considering the real issues facing patients today. [...]  She simplifies many of the issues without placing blame on patients with persistent pain or on clinicians. Overall, this book will help patients and providers understand the how and why of opioid prescription benefits versus risks. The importance of recognizing vulnerabilities and appropriately stratifying them is discussed; this will enable the patient-reader to take control of their prescribed medications and seek professional help if required, rather than falling victim to opioids controlling the outcome.” —Jeffrey Fudin, BS, PharmD, FCCA, diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management

From the Publisher