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An alarming new study shows emergency department (ED) visits involving non-medical use of prescription opioids have increased.
Done by researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the study shows the visits increasing by 111% during a 5 year period. Oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone were the opioids seen to be the most involved in the increase. The numbers themselves show 152%, 123%, and 73% respectively, Oxycodone being at 152%. These findings were published in a SAMSHA survey report, and also in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which was published this past June the 17th.
The increase of non-medical use of prescription pain relievers has been on a consistent rise and has been tracked through SAMSHA. Benzodiazapine usage has risen, but by far the most alarming has been opioid use.
Methadone has been strictly regulated and not readily available outside of the hospital except at specially regulated clinics. The clinics treat opioid addicts with therapeutic doses of methadone. Currently, physicians may obtain permits to prescribe methadone in-office to patients with severe pain complaints. This increased availability of methadone outside of the clinic setting has had huge impact on overdoses and E.R. visits.
Study results show significant increases in prescription opioid drug use at these rates, from 144,600 emergency department visits in 2004 to 305,900 emergency department visits in 2008. There was also seen an increase of 29% between 2007 and 2008. Only one year!
Non-medical oxycodone use rose, during the 5 year period, from 41, 700 to 105, 214 emergency department visits a year.
These increases reflect, in part, an increase in the prescribing of this class of medications.
Prescription drug abuse is one of the USA's emerging problems. It will continue to grow and will continue to kill our children. Education in both behavior and health is what is needed.
