Painkillers At Root Of Prescription Drug Overdose Epidemic
Every day, 52 people die from opioid pain medications. Every year, 47,000 die from a drug overdose, mostly from prescription pain medications.
Opioids are being overprescribed. And it is not children reaching in medicine cabinets who have made drug poisoning the #1 cause of unintentional death in the United States. Adults have been prescribed opioids by doctors and subsequently become addicted or move from pills to heroin.
Perhaps even more alarming: 70% of people who have abused prescription painkillers reported getting them from friends or relatives. Most people don't know that sharing opioids is a felony.
'Painkillers Don't Kill Pain; They Kill People'
People who take opioid painkillers for too long and in doses too large are more at risk of addiction and more likely to die of drug poisoning. The numbers are staggering. In a 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health report, the Substance Abuse and Medical Health Services Administration says there are 4.3 million current nonmedical users of painkillers. Nearly 2 million people have painkiller substance use disorders.
"Painkillers don't kill pain. They kill people," says Dr. Don Teater, National Safety Council medical advisor. People think taking opioids is the best way to treat pain. But the reality is other non-addictive medicines are just as effective, including many over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Learn How to Help Keep Loved Ones Alive
National Safety Council is here to provide answers for families, resources for employers and prescribers, and information to help keep you safe at home and in your community:
Where do Opioids Come From and What is the Cost?
Why are Opioid Painkillers Risky?
According to research and NSC Medical Advisor Dr. Don Teater:
?People who take opioid painkillers quickly can develop a tolerance and dependence to this class of drugs. When a person becomes dependent, he or she experiences unpleasant symptoms when they stop taking the drugs. Learn more about how tolerance and dependence increase risk for prescription drug abuse and overdose.
The Face of Opioid Painkiller Addiction
Most opioid painkiller addictions start with valid prescriptions. This high school athlete took a valid prescription for opioid painkillers, but eventually moved on to heroin. Read his tragic story.
What are the Signs of Opioid Painkiller Addiction?
It's not always easy to tell if someone is addicted to opioid painkillers. Studies have shown that common symptoms include:
Who is at Risk of Addiction?
There is no way to predict who will become addicted to opioid painkillers, but research indicates that certain factors increase risk:
Should You Work or Drive While Taking Opioid Painkillers?
Certain side effects of opioid painkillers could hinder your ability to drive or work safely. These side effects include:
Opioids are being overprescribed. And it is not children reaching in medicine cabinets who have made drug poisoning the #1 cause of unintentional death in the United States. Adults have been prescribed opioids by doctors and subsequently become addicted or move from pills to heroin.
Perhaps even more alarming: 70% of people who have abused prescription painkillers reported getting them from friends or relatives. Most people don't know that sharing opioids is a felony.
'Painkillers Don't Kill Pain; They Kill People'
People who take opioid painkillers for too long and in doses too large are more at risk of addiction and more likely to die of drug poisoning. The numbers are staggering. In a 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health report, the Substance Abuse and Medical Health Services Administration says there are 4.3 million current nonmedical users of painkillers. Nearly 2 million people have painkiller substance use disorders.
"Painkillers don't kill pain. They kill people," says Dr. Don Teater, National Safety Council medical advisor. People think taking opioids is the best way to treat pain. But the reality is other non-addictive medicines are just as effective, including many over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Learn How to Help Keep Loved Ones Alive
National Safety Council is here to provide answers for families, resources for employers and prescribers, and information to help keep you safe at home and in your community:
- Research indicates people who take opioid painkillers quickly can develop a tolerance to and dependence on this class of drug; learn how they work and why they can be risky
- Talk to children about taking drugs that weren't prescribed
- Learn how to get rid of painkillers properly and what constitutes a safe storage site
- Find out how much good can come from a coordinated effort, such as the Safe Communities America initiative in Madison and Dane County, Wis.
- Learn what legal measures are being taken to address drug overdose
- Learn why ibuprofen and acetaminophen when taken together form one of the strongest oral treatments for pain and how opioids delay recovery from injury or surgery
- In 2011, more than 25% of workers compensation prescription drug claim costs were for opioids; learn why spending on opioids does not guarantee better outcomes
Where do Opioids Come From and What is the Cost?
- Like heroin, opioid painkillers come from the poppy plant; opioids contain morphine and codeine
- In 2010, more than 400,000 emergency room visits were made related to prescription painkillers
- In 2006, the estimated total cost in the United States of nonmedical use of prescription opioids was $53.4 billion, of which $42 billion (79%) was attributable to lost productivity
- Four out of five new heroin users started by misusing prescription painkillers
- Research indicates 4% to 6% of prescription painkiller abusers will transition to heroin use
Why are Opioid Painkillers Risky?
According to research and NSC Medical Advisor Dr. Don Teater:
- The drugs are overprescribed
- It does not take long to become addicted to these drugs
- Many over-the-counter pain relievers are just as effective
- Prescription painkillers are gateway drugs to heroin
?People who take opioid painkillers quickly can develop a tolerance and dependence to this class of drugs. When a person becomes dependent, he or she experiences unpleasant symptoms when they stop taking the drugs. Learn more about how tolerance and dependence increase risk for prescription drug abuse and overdose.
The Face of Opioid Painkiller Addiction
Most opioid painkiller addictions start with valid prescriptions. This high school athlete took a valid prescription for opioid painkillers, but eventually moved on to heroin. Read his tragic story.
What are the Signs of Opioid Painkiller Addiction?
It's not always easy to tell if someone is addicted to opioid painkillers. Studies have shown that common symptoms include:
- Stealing, forging or selling prescriptions
- Taking higher doses than prescribed
- Excessive mood swings or hostility
- Increase or decrease in sleep
- Poor decision making
- Appearing to be high, unusually energetic or revved up, or sedated
- Continually "losing" prescriptions so more prescriptions must be written
- Seeking prescriptions from more than one doctor
- There are many treatment options and places to go for help. Find them.
Who is at Risk of Addiction?
There is no way to predict who will become addicted to opioid painkillers, but research indicates that certain factors increase risk:
- Personal or family history of addiction or substance abuse
- Depression or anxiety
- Long-term use of prescription opioids
- Taking or using multiple drugs, especially drugs for anxiety, depression or other mental health issues
Should You Work or Drive While Taking Opioid Painkillers?
Certain side effects of opioid painkillers could hinder your ability to drive or work safely. These side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Blurred vision
- Confusion or unusual thoughts
- Impulsive behavior
- Delayed reaction
- Difficulty following directions
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