Facts About Prescription Opioid Abuse (A note to Physicians)
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Source:(NIDA)
Prescription opioid addiction and abuse is a growing problem, with devastating consequences. Since 1999, sales of prescription opioids in the US has nearly quadrupled, while prescription opioid deaths already have. This correlation and others have not gone unnoticed, as medical agencies everywhere are making opioid abuse prevention a top priority. In 2015 almost 40% of Americans were using Prescription painkillers.
The Pressure To Prescribe
100 million people are estimated to suffer from chronic pain in the US, leaving providers with the sometimes daily challenge of mitigating patient risk vs. patient discomfort when prescribing opioids for pain relief. At times it may feel very difficult to make the right decision when it comes to a patients care. In 2015, 2 million Americans had a substance use disorder involving prescription pain relievers. From initial prescription to abuse many practitioners are familiar with the inherent qualities opioids possess that can easily contribute to patient abuse. Along with including feelings of euphoria and stress relief, these qualities include side effects such as tolerability (requiring an increase in dosing for similar effect) and withdrawal (when medication is stopped or withheld). Even when opioids are taken exactly as prescribed, some patients may still become addicted and not all patients take opioids as prescribed.
For example, patients may take more than one does at a time or pair their opioid medication with other medications that are contraindicated. Potential for abuse increases if patients have any common risk factors such as a history of mental illness or subtance abuse.
NEARLY HALF OF ALL U.S. OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS ARE DUE TO PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS!!
WHAT PRESCRIBERS CAN DO TO HELP
As a prescriber, you have the ability to identify, address, and reduce prescription opioid abuse in your practice. Start by prescribing non-opioid pain relief whenever possible. If opioids appear necessary, begin with the lowest effective dosage. Check your state’s PDMP to monitor your patients prescribing activity to avoid greater risk of patient death. Don’t prescribe benzodiazepines along with opioids. Use the other resources available through search and rescue.
