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The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Pain Management Inter-agency Task Force released a new report highlighting the necessity of multidisciplinary approaches for pain management during the opioid crisis. The report outlines how providers can best manage patient pain, including utilizing physical therapy and behavioral and psychological health services instead of solely relying on opioids. However, the task force cautioned against withholding opioids from patients who truly need them, as they are appropriate in certain treatment regimens. The report also details the need to address stigma as this is also a challenge in pain management care. The full report can be accessed here.
 A new study has found that only a small percentage of people at high risk for opioid overdose are getting prescriptions for naloxone, the overdose reversal drug. Researchers examined insurance claims and found that among patients ages 15 and older with claims related to opioid misuse or dependence, opioid-related overdose, or both, only 1.5 percent received prescriptions for naloxone after a hospitalization, a visit to an emergency room or a visit to a doctor’s office. Researchers conclude that much of this is driven by stigma, as naloxone continues to be falsely associated with enabling or encouraging patients to abuse opioids.
A recently published study detailed that the doses of opioids prescribed, and not the type of opioid, correspond with long-term opioid use. The study enrolled 18,000 adult patients who experienced an arm or leg fracture. The study demonstrated that prescribers often fail to take into account the differing levels of strength per milligram in varying opioids, in which higher doses can lead to increased risk for prolonged use.
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Overdose Lifeline, a not-for-profit focused on fighting the opioid crisis by focusing on advocacy, education, harm reduction, prevention, and support, aims to establish a recovery residence in which patients would receive treatment, including mental health and addiction support and employment and education assistance. As the opioid epidemic continues in Indiana, physicians and emergency room doctors are facing the reality that there are too few facilities to accommodate people who struggle with addiction. Such recovery houses offer healthcare providers a way to connect patients with treatment resources.
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