Nalini Vadivelu1, Alice M Kai2, Vijay Kodumudi3, Julie Sramcik4, Alan D Kaye5. 1. Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University, TMP3 333, Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA. nalini.vadivelu@yale.edu. 2. Department of Internal Medicine, NYU Winthrop Hospital, 259 First Street, Mineola, NY, 11501, USA. 3. Medical Student, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT, 06030-1905, USA. 4. Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University, TMP3 333, Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA. 5. Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1542 Tulane Ave, Suite 656, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The opioid crisis most likely is the most profound public health crisis our nation has faced. In 2015 alone, 52,000 people died of drug overdoses, with over 30,000 of those people dying from opioid drugs. A recent community forum led by the Cleveland Clinic contrasted this yearly death rate with the loss of 58,000 American lives in 4 years of the Vietnam War. The present review describes the origins of this opioid epidemic and provides context for our present circumstances. RECENT FINDINGS: Alarmingly, the overwhelming majority of opioid abusers begin their addiction with prescription medications, primarily for chronic pain. Chronic postoperative pain, which occurs in 10-50% of surgical patients, is a major concern in many types of surgery. Nationwide, the medical community has made it a priority to ensure that postsurgical analgesia is sufficient to control pain without increasing non-medically appropriate opioid use. The opioid epidemic remains a significant pressing issue and will not resolve easily. Numerous factors, including the inappropriate prescription of opioids, lack of understanding of the potential adverse effects of long-term therapy, opioid misuse, abuse, and dependence, have contributed to the current crisis.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The opioid crisis most likely is the most profound public health crisis our nation has faced. In 2015 alone, 52,000 people died of drug overdoses, with over 30,000 of those people dying from opioid drugs. A recent community forum led by the Cleveland Clinic contrasted this yearly death rate with the loss of 58,000 American lives in 4 years of the Vietnam War. The present review describes the origins of this opioid epidemic and provides context for our present circumstances. RECENT FINDINGS: Alarmingly, the overwhelming majority of opioid abusers begin their addiction with prescription medications, primarily for chronic pain. Chronic postoperative pain, which occurs in 10-50% of surgical patients, is a major concern in many types of surgery. Nationwide, the medical community has made it a priority to ensure that postsurgical analgesia is sufficient to control pain without increasing non-medically appropriate opioid use. The opioid epidemic remains a significant pressing issue and will not resolve easily. Numerous factors, including the inappropriate prescription of opioids, lack of understanding of the potential adverse effects of long-term therapy, opioid misuse, abuse, and dependence, have contributed to the current crisis.
Entities:
Keywords:
Health policy; Opioids; Overdose deaths; Pain
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