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- Title
Misinterpretation of the "Overdose Crisis" Continues to Fuel Misunderstanding of the Role of Prescription Opioids.
- Authors
Bettinger, Jeffrey J; Amarquaye, William; Fudin, Jeffrey; Schatman, Michael E
- Abstract
The United States overdose epidemic hit yet another devastating record in 2021, with drug overdose deaths surpassing 100,000 for the first time in history, representing almost a 21% increase compared to 2020.[1] While undoubtedly several societal, personal, and behavioral phenomena highlighted and created by the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to the sharp incline in overdoses our nation has witnessed over the past two years, it is imperative to recognize that all cause opioid-related overdose death rates had been rising precipitously since 2014.[1] There are a variety of factors that have influenced the progressive pacing of opioid-related overdoses witnessed throughout the second decade of the 21st century. In fact, deaths due to prescription opioids have continuously increased from 1999 through 2017.[13] The concept of "prevention" by means of reducing prescription and supplies of opioids as a way to end the opioid crisis (often hyperbolically identified as the "opioid epidemic") continues to be a running narrative put forth by several organizations. It is stated that "prescription opioid deaths" have continuously increased from "1999 through 2017", yet more recent data indicate that natural and semisynthetic opioid overdose deaths (to which they refer as "prescription opioid deaths") have been stable or declining since 2015.[1],[2],[27] Seth et al determined that longitudinal trends indicated a rapid increase in death rates involving synthetic opioids from 2013-2016 vs death rates involving natural and semisynthetic opioids, which remained relatively stable from 2009-2016, with an annual percent increase of 3.4%.[27] More recently, particularly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic which has increased isolation and limited access to healthcare providers, overdose deaths have continued to increase dramatically.
- Subjects
CANCER pain; DRUG overdose; OPIOIDS; MEDICAL personnel; SUBSTANCE abuse treatment facilities; MEDICAL prescriptions
- Publication
Journal of Pain Research, 2022, Vol 15, p949
- ISSN
1178-7090
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2147/JPR.S367753