Opioid Prescriptions After an Overdose [Infographic]

A new study shows that 9 out of 10 patients who have suffered an overdose on prescription opioid painkillers have been given further opioid prescriptions after an overdose. 70% of these overdose cases, mostly from ignorance on the part of the physicians, have resulted in the same physician being responsible for prescribing before and after the overdose. It is very important to discuss when it comes to a patient’s opioid prescriptions after an overdose.

Although prescription opioids do help with chronic pain, they are prescribed too often, according to a recently published study, The Annals of Internal Medicine. The study suggests that the inadequate efforts to address underlying pain in patients is the catalyst for the overprescribing, and thus overdosing, problem we are seeing.

Instead of addressing the root cause of the pain problem, doctors are continually pumping out more painkillers. A colossal 91% of those who have suffered a nonfatal opioid overdose have later been prescribed more opioids and those who have continued to take their prescription painkillers following an overdose, increased their odds by two of having another opioid overdose within a two-year timespan. It is actions like this that caused the current crisis to hit the level that it has reached. Overprescribing like this has led to thousands of deaths and ruined lives.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recently published an article saying opioid-induced overdoses have reached an unprecedented level, with an increase of 200% and a half a million dead since the year 2000. The current opioid epidemic has affected the lives of millions of Americans over the past decade. The best way to avoid falling victim to the epidemic is with a prescription opioid addiction treatment program.

Addiction Treatment Options for Prescription Opioid Painkillers

People often think that taking prescription opioid painkillers is the best way to manage and treat pain. However, there are plenty of non-addictive, over-the-counter medicines that can be just as effective as prescription painkillers. Naproxen or ibuprofen are good examples. These alternatives are also much less life-threatening than opioids like Oxycontin or Fentanyl. 

If you or someone you love is struggling with a prescription opioid painkiller problem, now is the time to get the appropriate help. The most effective treatment programs for prescription opioids take into account what possesses people to abuse prescription drugs and how to resolve these issues. We offer a wide variety of effective therapies and programs to help you or a loved one beat addiction. These therapies include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Art therapy program
• Individual therapy program
• Music therapy program

We offer leading-edge addiction treatment that is tailored to your unique needs. At Beaches Recovery, we want to ensure that you stay clean after you leave us.  You no longer have to suffer in silence. Call us today to get a free health insurance benefit assessment from our admissions counselor. Do not live in the clutches of addiction any longer. Make the call today and break free from the addiction cycle. We are here to help. Call 866.605.0532 today to get the help you need.