Introduction

For decades, opioid medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine were prescribed as the mainstay for chronic pain. Many patients were told these medicines would help them stay functional or get their life back.

But as research and long-term experience have shown, opioids don’t always deliver lasting relief — and sometimes they can quietly make pain worse over time.

So how do you know if opioids are still helping you, or if it’s time to consider a different approach?