Research on opioids, addiction, and treatment. Covers traditional care practices, opioid treatment in pregnancy, illicit fentanyl, and treatment disparities.
A survey of 138 medical marijuana users aged 61-70 found that most patients significantly reduced their chronic pain and dependence on opioid painkillers. The results suggest that medical marijuana could be an effective solution to curb the opioid epidemic in older adults.
A recent study from the University of Michigan found that racial disparities in opioid prescribing have decreased, with blacks and whites now receiving equal numbers of opioid prescriptions. However, blacks are at a higher risk of addiction due to prescription narcotic exposure.
A study presented at the AATS 98th Annual Meeting found that patients used far fewer opioids than were prescribed after open and laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair. The study identified several factors contributing to over-prescribing, including inadequate patient education and improper use of adjunct pain medications.
A new study led by Johns Hopkins researchers found that only a small percentage of patients use nonopioid pain relievers to supplement opioid pain management after spine and joint surgery. Patients also improperly store and dispose of opioids.
A new study at Boston Medical Center aims to bridge a gap in care for patients with substance use disorders by linking them with trained peer recovery coaches. The project, Project RECOVER, will provide support and sustain recovery for up to six months through interventions delivered by certified peer coaches.
A study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that opioid-related deaths among young adults in Ontario nearly tripled from 2000 to 2015. The rate of opioid-related deaths in this age group increased dramatically, with over 1 in 9 deaths being opioid-related by 2015.
A recent study found that Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities have varying care practices for military veterans with chronic pain, leading to inconsistent rates of long-term opioid therapy. Facilities with a wider range of non-opioid treatment options had lower rates of opioid use among veterans.
Recent opioid use is associated with an increased risk of falls in older adults and a higher risk of death during hospital stays. Researchers found that patients who had filled an opioid prescription before injury were 2.4 times more likely to have fallen, resulting in injury and higher mortality rates.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new compound that could offer pain-relieving properties without the risk of addiction. The compound interacts with two types of opioid receptors, one responsible for pain relief and another that can reduce addiction liability.
A Mayo Clinic survey found that nearly a third of patients did not use any opioids prescribed after surgery, with only 8% disposing of their remaining medications. The study suggests that patient factors such as age and pain score can influence opioid use, highlighting the need for tailored prescribing guidelines.
A new analysis found that opioid pain medications may pose higher risks of altered mental status, falls, and fractures in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Opioid use was associated with increased risks even at lower doses and with certain types of medication recommended for this population.
A systematic review of over 460 studies suggests that ibuprofen and acetaminophen are better options for relieving acute dental pain. The combination of 400mg ibuprofen and 1000mg acetaminophen was found to be superior to any opioid-containing medications.
A study by University of Texas Medical Branch researchers found that opioid-related hospitalization rates increased among Medicare patients without prescribed opioids after the 2014 federal change limiting hydrocodone product dispensing. This increase may indicate illegal use of these drugs.
A multicenter database study of adults undergoing spinal deformity surgery found that daily opioid users had longer ICU stays and more severe postop disability compared to non-opioid users. The study highlights the need for preoperative counseling and alternative pain management strategies for patients at risk of daily narcotic use.
A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder found that post-surgical opioids can lead to chronic pain in rats for more than three weeks. The researchers discovered that opioids stimulate specialized immune cells in the spinal cord, making them more reactive to pain, and that gradual tapering has no effect on the prolonged pain.
Naloxone has been shown to reduce brain inflammation and improve neurological function in rats after a stroke, with a potential new treatment avenue for stroke patients. Further study is warranted to investigate naloxone's effectiveness in humans.
A VA study found that electronic medication alerts can reduce the risk of dangerous drug combinations by 25% for patients with substance use disorder, sleep apnea, and suicide risk. The alerts also improved coordination between primary care and mental health services.
A new Consensus Statement provides 16 recommendations to improve safe opioid use in non-cancer hospitalized patients with acute pain. The guidelines emphasize limiting opioid use, using lowest effective doses and immediate-release formulations, and educating patients about non-opioid alternatives.
Two studies investigate the correlation between state-legal cannabis use and opioid prescription rates among Medicaid enrollees and Medicare Part D recipients. The findings suggest that implementing medical cannabis laws may lead to a decrease in opioid prescribing rates and spending.
A study found that 65% of emergency department physicians underestimated their opioid prescription rates, but rates decreased after they saw their actual data. The researchers believe this change was due to the shock of seeing the reality of their actions versus their perceptions, priming them to make a change.
A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland found that initiating opioid analgesics reduces the use of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines in persons with Alzheimer's disease. This decrease was observed without worsening behavioural and psychiatric symptoms.
The introduction of tamper-resistant oxycodone in Australia led to a decrease in dispensing rates for higher-strength formulations among people under 65 years old. However, poisonings from injected oxycodone remained unchanged despite this shift.
A study at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry found a significant decrease in opioid prescriptions after implementing an opioid prescribing protocol. The analysis showed a 47.1% reduction in total opioid prescriptions and tablets per prescription written.
A nationwide survey found that oral and maxillofacial surgeons prescribed more opioids after hydrocodone-containing products were rescheduled in 2014. The study also showed a significant reduction in phone calls requesting refill authorizations after switching to more potent pain medications.
A study analyzing hospital data from 2012-2014 found that 1.5% of patients hospitalized for periapical abscess had opioid abuse/dependence, with certain demographics showing increased risk, including younger adults and those without private insurance.
A new Series in The Lancet highlights the extent to which low back pain is mistreated, with patients often receiving education and advice instead of evidence-based treatments. Key findings include high rates of opioid prescription and limited exercise prescriptions, even in countries with high-income counterparts.
Patients taking chronic opioids before spinal fusion are at increased risk of complications, including wound complications, emergency visits, and repeat spinal fusion surgery. Long-term opioid use also associated with higher odds of constipation and increased healthcare costs.
A growing burden of uncontrolled pain in low- and middle-income countries is highlighted, with only 6.7% of medical opioids available to these regions. Experts outline strategies for improving access to pain treatment, including education in multidisciplinary pain medicine and balancing regulation of opioids.
A study found that adolescents with mental health conditions and treatments were more likely to transition from initial opioid prescriptions to long-term opioid therapy. The study analyzed data from over 1.2 million adolescents aged 14-18 with first-time opioid prescriptions between 2003 and 2014.
A mandatory educational session on opioid abuse and new prescribing guidelines led to a significant decrease in opioids prescribed after hand surgery. The study found a 45% reduction in opioids prescribed, suggesting that similar standardized education and guidelines could reduce over-prescription nationwide.
Two studies showed that pre-operative counseling and non-opioid pain relievers can significantly reduce post-surgery opioid use, resulting in a two-thirds decrease in opioid consumption. Patients who used non-opioids experienced an equivalent pain experience with fewer adverse events compared to those using opioids.
A randomized clinical trial found that opioid medications did not improve pain-related function over 12 months compared to nonopioid medications. Nonopioid medications resulted in less intense pain and fewer medication-related symptoms.
Researchers developed a statistical model to predict hospitalized patients at risk of progressing to chronic opioid therapy. The model correctly identified high-risk patients in 79% of cases and was found to be highly associated with variables such as substance use disorder, benzodiazepine receipt, and surgical procedures during hospit...
Using multiple methods to manage pain during and after joint replacement surgery was associated with a decrease in opioid use, opioid prescriptions, and common complications. Multimodal therapy reduced opioid prescriptions by up to 18.5%, respiratory complications by 19% and gastrointestinal complications by 26%.
A review in Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics outlines the severity of opioid use among children and teenagers undergoing surgery, with nearly one-fourth of US high school seniors having exposure to prescription opioids. Strategies for reducing opioid prescribing include education, standardized practices, and legislation to shift presc...
Recent studies on medical marijuana laws find no significant link to increased adolescent recreational use, contradicting previous claims. The evidence also suggests that legalizing medical marijuana does not necessarily reduce opioid overdose deaths, as other factors contribute more significantly to the decline in deaths.
Researchers found that gabapentin is being mixed with other substances to produce euphoria, and some users are turning to it after crackdowns made it difficult to obtain opioid prescriptions. The medication's low cost and increasing popularity have contributed to its misuse, highlighting the need for further study on its abuse potential.
Researchers found medical cannabis significantly relieves pain and improves quality of life for seniors with minimal side effects. The study surveyed 2,736 patients aged 65+ who received medical cannabis through Israel's largest supplier, Tikun Olam.
An imaging study found altered signaling in the brain and spinal cord after short-term infusion of remifentanil, leading to increased sensitivity to heat pain stimuli. The results indicate that opioid application can alter pain processing in the central nervous system.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that opioid users have a 1.62 times higher risk of invasive pneumococcal diseases, which can cause meningitis and other severe infections. The study suggests that high-dose opioids, particularly those with long-acting properties, carry the greatest infection risk.
Researchers found a significant association between opioid use and the risk of laboratory-confirmed invasive pneumococcal diseases. High-dose opioids, especially those classified as high potency and long-acting formulations, were most strongly associated with invasive pneumococcal diseases in humans.
A study found that few dermatologists prescribe opioids, but those who do concentrate in Southern states and surgical practices. Higher rates of opioid prescribing were also observed among dermatologists in these areas.
A Saint Louis University study found that treating depression can increase the likelihood of successful opioid cessation in non-cancer pain patients. Patients who adhered to antidepressant medications were more likely to stop opioids and experience a rapid decline in depression symptoms.
A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that long-term opioid prescribing among US military veterans decreased by 30% between 2010 and 2016. The decline was largely due to a reduction in long-term opioid use, rather than a decrease in short-term use.
The Ohio Opioid Technology Challenge has awarded $10,000 prizes to five innovative concepts addressing drug abuse and addiction. The top ideas include digital therapies, augmented reality coaching systems, and virtual reality prevention tools.
Experts from obstetric care and addiction medicine meet to discuss the current evidence on substance use disorders (SUD) in pregnancy. They aim to review existing barriers to accessing treatment for SUD in pregnant women and provide clinical guidance for obstetric care providers.
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs reduce hospital stays and opioid use for colorectal and bariatric surgery patients. The ERAS program includes preoperative education, carb loading, and pain management strategies to improve patient outcomes and lower costs.
A recent study found that reducing daily cigarette use led to a significant decrease in opioid dependence, with an 18.8% reduction reported among participants in the PROMPT project.
A study by Penn State researchers found correlations between natural disasters, declining farm income, and opioid overdoses in rural America. Opioid-related deaths are increasing in rural counties, with a 10% rise for every $10,000 reduction in net farm income.
The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention at CU Anschutz Medical Campus receives a $1.5 million grant from the Colorado Health Foundation to advance its mission to reduce misuse and abuse of prescription drugs in Colorado.
A new study published in The BMJ suggests that the duration of opioid treatment is a more potent predictor of abuse and overdose than dosage among patients with no history of recent or chronic opioid use. Longer treatment spells increase the risk of dependence, abuse, or overdose by up to 20% each additional week.
A large observational study found that the duration of opioid treatment is more strongly associated with misuse than the dose. The researchers suggest that giving moderate to higher doses for shorter durations may be a more effective way to manage pain while minimizing the risk of addiction.
A new study finds that surgery patients taking opioids for extended periods are at higher risk of abuse and overdose, while the duration of treatment is a more potent predictor than dosage. Researchers analyzed over half a million records to quantify opioid misuse following surgery.
A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that implementing a default option for lower opioid tablet quantities in electronic medical records increased compliance with prescribing guidelines, resulting in fewer prescriptions written for larger quantities.
A new study by USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics found that doctors' offices are the main source of prescription opioids, accounting for 83% of prescriptions in 2012. This contrasts with emergency departments, which accounted for only 4.4% of opioid prescriptions during the same period.
A commentary argues that Canada should develop a regulated program to distribute pharmaceutical-grade opioids to people at highest risk of overdose. This approach aims to provide safer alternatives to illegal sources of pain relief, reducing the protracted epidemic of overdose deaths.
Patients with musculoskeletal conditions who receive prescription opioids are more satisfied with their care than those without. However, they often experience increased pain and reduced health outcomes, highlighting the need for further investigation into the complex relationship between opioid use and patient satisfaction.
A multidisciplinary team implemented a behavioral health-focused model for medication-assisted treatment, resulting in streamlined care and increased patient support. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize primary care treatment of Opioid use disorder.
A study by University of South Florida researchers found a significant link between opioid prescriptions and child removal from homes due to parental neglect. The analysis revealed a 129% increase in such removals since 2012, with an estimated annual state fiscal cost of $40 million.
Patients who receive prescription opioids have higher satisfaction rates than those without, but paradoxically experience more pain. Non-patient medical requests from family and friends require a nuanced response. Diabetes care emphasizes communication, coordination, and biopsychosocial approaches to engage patients.