'Sleepwalking into addiction': The hidden opioid crisis of the pandemic as patients forced to wait years for surgery

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

'Zombified’ on strong painkillers, ‘frightened’ to up their dose, but left with ‘no other option’ as they are kept awake by excruciating pain.

Thousands of people have seen their life-changing surgeries stall as the pandemic washed across the country.

Now, patients and doctors are grappling with fears that the nation could be ‘sleepwalking into addiction’, as those suffering serious injuries wait years for procedures - with only heavy doses of painkillers able to give them enough relief to get through the day.

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In Greater Manchester, some felt their final hopes of eventually getting their treatment evaporate at the start of this month.

Health leaders announced that most surgeries would be cancelled as the Omicron wave has grounded swathes of the workforce testing positive or having to isolate.

Patients living with painful conditions have told the Manchester Evening News that agonising delays have come at a cost.

They are forced to depend on strong painkillers, including addictive opiates such as morphine and codeine, and opioids like tramadol and fentanyl, for even longer.

It's even tempting those in recovery for addiction back into substance abuse, says one patient - who pleaded with his doctor to stop a painkiller prescription because he was 'enjoying it too much', despite being tortured with back pain.

Medics, alike, have seen the dependence on these drugs climb over the last two years.

Not only is the pattern paving the way for strains on the region’s drug rehabilitation services, but mental health services too, according to doctors and nurses.

Scott Tulloch, 48, is one of the many patients left with a devastating injury for almost two years and counting.

In October 2020, while working at a food bank,