I decided that it was in my best interest not to take the rest of my prescription.
For a week, I was unable to walk due to pain. Fortunately, I was able to work from home during that period. But what if I had a job where being on crutches was not an option, like being a server or contractor? I think I would have decided to continue using opioids for pain, if it meant that I could keep my job. However, this line of thinking is part of what’s driving the opioid epidemic: people with pain are taking their medication as prescribed so that they can function in their daily lives, but in doing so, are accidentally transitioning into addicts.