My own strategies for Combating the Opioid Crisis: Intervention and Prevention at the Community Level

  1. Education
  2. Empowerment with personalized, holistic , functional and integrated approach

I believe in health education and providing the knowledge that is personalized and integrated to combat the opioid crisis in this country.

When my 82 yr old mom asked for pain killer and her doctor prescribed Tramadol, I told her doctor that I know one senior who died of Tramadol addiction. So, we went home without the Tramadol prescription. My mom is only taking one prescribed med, an anti-hypertensive med. In the past when she takes a prescribed anti-arthritis med, she has so many side effects that she discontinued taking the med.

So, I coaxed my mom and her doctor to use other non-narcotic and safer pain killers.

When we went home, I massaged my mom, provided whole foods and she continued use of her Zyflamend or Wholemend with turmeric, ginger and oregano capsule. And when the pain is not bearable, she takes Tylenol or Aleve.

What is your strategy to combat the Opioid Crisis?

Connie Dello Buono