By Robert Preidt, HealthDay ReporterOriginal Source: health.usnews.com

TUESDAY, Jan. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Following surgery, many patients head home with prescriptions for 30 or more opioid painkillers -- enough to trigger addiction, warns a leading group of anesthesiologists.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists recommends using prescription painkillers sparingly, if at all, after surgery.

"Nobody needs a prescription for 30 or 50 opioids, and even those who are in major pain and may benefit should only take them for a day or two," said Dr. James Grant, society president."There are effective alternatives and many people don't need opioids at all or at least should drastically reduce the amount they take," Grant said in a society news release.

Opioid painkillers -- such as OxyContin (oxycodone) and Vicodin (hydrocodone/acetaminophen) -- are highly addictive. And addiction can...click here to continue reading