Where is the patient in the discussion of the opioid epidemic?
The opioid epidemic has been declared loud and clear in the media over the past several years. Doctors have been demonized, and patients have been stereotyped. The statistics are alarming. However, I have yet to see anything published that focuses on the patient who lives with chronic pain. There is very little understanding for these individuals.
Let me be more specific. Society reacts empathetically towards the person who has pain related …