Dr: Travis Rieder: Pain, Opioid Addiction & Recovery

Today's WELL guest is Dr. Rieder. He is a philosopher by training, bioethicist by profession, communicator by passion, and author of the book, “In Pain: A Bioethicist’s Personal Struggle with Opioids.” In Pain describes Dr. Rieder's sudden and intimate run-in with the health care system that left him dependent on oxycodone. In this podcast, we discuss:

The nuances of painPrescribing opioids for trauma, post-surgical pain, and long-term painOpioid tolerance, dependence and addictionNaloxoneDrug use and the developing brainHow parents can advocate for their child if opioids are prescribedParenting and building protective factorsThe moral obligation of the health care system to both manage pain and reduce harm.