What's worse? Taking Rx pain medicine for severe back pain or drinking alcohol daily.?

Question

What would be better for your health and longevity?

This is roughly based on 40mg of pain killer or the equivalent narcotic per day or so.

OR

6 to 8 shots of 80proof alcohol. 10 at most.

If one precedes the other which alcohol is best or what pain killer is best.

Doctors answers vary so much, that I'm looking for personal experiences or hard facts.

Answer 1

While there are many negative results due to alcohol, liver problems are an example, pain medication can cause as many problems. The liver and kidneys have to deal with the pain medication.

Both alternatives have a risk of dependency, and tolerance will build up over time. Pain medication, like alcohol, should be temporary solution. Using them constantly will damage your body.

However, pain medication administered by a doctor or while following a doctor's orders is more under control, and the doctor will monitor the effects on your body. Your local bartender won't do that.

Answer 2

From a Health standpoint you are better off to take prescribed medication rather then alcohol. Alcohol causes serious problems to the liver when used heavily and extensively. The medication has less negative physical side effects.

Percodan, oxycotin or perhaps a medical implant into the back that will release medication directly into the area of pain. There are many new procedures for severe back pain. See an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible.

Answer 3

I live with chronic pain everyday and let me tell you ,I'd be an alcoholic by now if I tried drinking my pain away, everyones pain differs and so does why they get the pain,so go get diagnosed as to why your back hurts and take it from there ,but I would go with medication before I ever drank to ease my pain.I would be drunk 24/7 & not be able to function, at least with pain meds I can function and carry on with life, life in the bottle is bad news.Good luck to you.

Answer 4

I guess it comes down to what works the best for your pain. Neither one of them is good for your health and longevity. I personally take pain meds and don't drink alcohol at all for 8 years now. I don't miss it at all, but for me the pain meds work best and I'm in control more than I would be with alcohol. I wouldn't mix the two, thats not good. good luck

Answer 5

You didn't say why you are having pain. Can you treat the cause of the back pain instead of the symptoms? You are using medications and alcohol to mask the pain, so it's still occurring; you just can't feel it. And both are hard on your liver. Unless you want to spend the majority of your time intoxicated or medicated, please consider finding and treating the source of the pain.

Answer 6

Narcotics (pure opiates/opioids, not those with Tylenol/Aspirin/Ibuprophen) are the oldest and safest form of pain management. The only real danger is dependance (VERY different from addiction, look it up), whereas alcohol will cause liver damage and more. Drinking is definitely worse.

Answer 7

When you wake up have you ever noticed any of your clothing missing or on backward / in side out? Perhaps beer labels or cigarettes in your hair? Scrapes, bruises, cuts or un-explained tattoos? Last possibility did you start out the evening(s) with crutches or a wheelchair that are now missing?

Answer 8

Use the Rx as prescribed and dump the booze. Definitely don't take together.

Answer 9

I would think the oxycotin is safer. Taking that much alcohol daily will give you nerve damage which is painful.

Answer 10

I think that alcohol will have more adverse effects, longterm. You should really try to look into other treatment options.