If I take pain medication prescribed by the doctor for chronic pain, can it be harmful to my recovery?

The short answer to this question is yes. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) chronic pain currents affects about one third of the United States population. Although there are alternative treatments to manage pain, prescription opioids have taken a drastic incline. Because of this opioid addiction treatment admits have increased greatly. The NIDA is currently doing extensive research in addition to collaborating with the U.S. public health community in order to provide not only safe methods of pain management but effective methods as well.