A recent review of research related to prescription drugs for chronic pain shows that one in three individuals who take painkillers have symptoms of addiction.
The research review considered data across 148 separate studies that included 4.3 million adults who suffer from chronic pain and found that one in three people who take prescription drugs for pain present signs of addiction. Additionally, the research saw that almost one in ten individuals who take opioid prescription became dependent on the drugs.
The review draws a blunt picture of the drug crisis in the United Kingdom, which is also reflected in other countries such as the United States. Experts have seen the results and issued a warning that stricter guidelines need to be implemented surrounding prescriptions. While helpful to manage acute pain, opioids have long been known to have addictive properties when used long-term.
Prescriptions of such drugs for chronic pain conditions can result in addiction, physical and mental health problems, and death from overdosing. The new review, which came from researchers at Bristol University, uncovered unsettling trends that indicate a far more serious opioid prescription problem than, perhaps, what it was first believed to be.
The nearly 150 studies analyzed in the review were divided into four categories, including opioid use disorder, symptoms of dependence, aberrant behavior, and at-risk of addiction. Almost one in ten study participants were officially diagnosed with opioid use disorder while 30% who were on the prescription drugs presented certain symptoms of addiction, including tolerance, withdrawal, and craving.
Aberrant behavior—which was the umbrella term used to describe actions such as trying to refill prescriptions early, ongoing increasing dosages, and regularly losing prescriptions—were noticed in 22% of patients. Another 12% also qualified as being at risk of becoming addicted to opioid prescriptions.
According to Kyla Thomas, a Bristol University Public Health Medicine professor and lead author of the review, medical and public policy professionals “need” to have a “more accurate estimate” of the opioid addiction crisis among pain patients. She added that this information would enable them to “gauge” the “extent of the problem” and adjust prescription regulations “if necessary” and establish “effective interventions” to resolve the issue.
