Author: Robby Berman / Source: Big Think
- More than 130 people die every day from opioid-related overdoses, and some 11.4 million Americans have an opioid disorder.
- Americans remain wary of opioids and want more guidance; about a third of doctors need to explain options better.
- Patients have to pro-actively question subscribing physicians.
The statistics that describe America’s opioid epidemic are sobering. According to Health and Human Services numbers released in May 2018, more than 130 people die every day from opioid-related overdoses, and some 11.4 million Americans have an opioid disorder. Many in the medical community are trying harder on their end to reduce opioid prescriptions, though perhaps not all. And many patients remain uncomfortable taking the drugs, about 30%, according to 1,011 survey responses gathered by DrugAbuse.com for its recently published Painkiller Protocols visualizations. Though the majority of doctors are doing an adequate job, there’s still about a third of them who could be doing more.
All infographics in this article are by DrugAbuse.com.
How uncomfortable we are about getting started with opioids
Comfort with opioids is, to some extent, generational, with baby boomers being the most concerned about beginning a course, at 39%, and millennials somewhat more okay with going on pain meds, at 29%. Overall, 54% aren’t really concerned one way or another. But still, a third of people surveyed have concerns. Part of what leaves people uneasy is the degree to which their doctors have screened them as candidates for an opioid prescription—over a third were never asked the questions the accepted guidelines recommend prior to prescribing.
What did…
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