Opioid painkillers work like magic, their users say: the pain they suffered just disappears. Then comes the drawback: the drugs are addictive, and higher doses are needed over time to get the same effect.
A researcher at OHSU, Oregon Health & Science University, studied pain levels in patients both before they began using opioids, and after they successfully kicked the addiction.
His main finding: the pain is no worse, and can be even less. Dr. Travis Lovejoy performed the research and visits with details.