handed out nationwide has not dropped, but in a lot of cases, doctors are looking at prescribing alternatives to opioids.
Despite the impressive reductions across many states, the figures show that opioid prescription numbers are still high across the board. For injured workers in most states, between 65 and 75 percent of those claiming for painkillers through health care insurance received opioids. In some areas, the proportion was even higher, with Arkansas topping the chart at 85 percent.
Researchers also found high instances of muscle relaxants and nervous system depressants being prescribed with opioids across all states — a combination which has been linked with a higher danger of overdose.
“Utilization continues to be higher in several states,” Thumula said. “In the most recent study period, we found that at least two out of three injured workers in our sample with at least one prescription for a pain medication received an opioid in most study states. We see large variations across states in the amount of opioids received.”
She said a large number of factors could play into the variance in numbers between states, from worker compensation policies and doctor dispensing practices to state legislative efforts. But the researchers hope their latest findings will help authorities with ongoing efforts to bring opioid use down in every area.
