Did you know that prescription drug abuse is the nation's fasting-growing drug problem – not marijuana, heroin or cocaine? Unintentional overdose deaths involving prescription opioids have quadrupled since 1999, and outnumber those from heroin and cocaine combined.

Prescription narcotics have become more rampant in today's medical care; perhaps the medical profession is more cognizant of treating pain adequately, but this comes with a price. It is estimated in some studies that up to 40 percent of people on chronic pain medications show signs of addiction and/or abuse of the medication.

The number of prescriptions for opioid pain relievers has increased dramatically in the past few years, and the amount prescribed per patient increased 401 percent from 1997 to 2007. Are we, as a nation, 400 percent more in pain now than we were 10 years ago?

The problem with this escalating pattern of prescribing and usage is that as prescription narcotics are becoming more mainstream, so is their abuse potential. The increasing availability of prescription pain meds and the mis- perceptions about safety and addictive potential of these can lead to abuse.

Also, pain meds can be taken for the wrong reasons, such as to get high, to counter anxiety or depression, to improve cognition or for sleep problems.

In 2009, 16 million Americans age 12 and older had taken a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant or sedative for nonmedical purposes at least once in the year. Furthermore, many high school children report getting their pain medications from a friend or a relative, not the Internet. The more ubiquitous the supply of pain medications, the more the potential for their abuse.

Are there holistic solutions to pain?

Certainly there are many complementary options to assist with chronic pain. These can range from acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, guided imagery and meditation.

Other holistic modalities include:

• Curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) has long been shown to decrease inflammation in chronic conditions such as arthritis, and is being shown to be helpful in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

• SAM-e reduces inflammation, and can help increase the dopamine and serotonin levels, the so-called "happy" chemical in the brain. This is available in capsule form in many health food stores.

• Aquamin is a red seaweed supplement that's rich in calcium and magnesium, and may be reduce joint inflammation.

• The homeopathic medicine arnica has been shown to assist in acute pain such as bruises or strained muscles.

• Fish oils contain prostaglandins that can reduce inflammation.

• And finally, don't forget the anti-inflammatory effects of heat and ice; use these as a part of your daily regimen for painful musculoskeletal conditions.

The treatment of pain is complicated and has many pitfalls. To increase efficacy and avoid abuse, partnering in a close relationship with your doctor and having a pain specialist coordinate your care is a good idea, in the case of refractory chronic pain.

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Drs. Kay Judge and Maxine Barish-Wreden are medical directors of Sutter Downtown Integrative Medicine program. Have a question related to alternative medicine? Email adrenaline@sacbee.com.

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