Doctors Cutting Back on Opioid Prescriptions

The opioid epidemic is not limited to street drugs like heroin, a massive part of the problem is prescribed drugs such as oxycodone and hydrocodone.

These prescription opioids are gateway drugs, they can lead to abuse and then addiction, which can start a patient on the road to heroin. Addiction is a disease and once a person becomes addicted, they often find themselves moving to the cheaper more powerful street drug, heroin.

Opioid Prescription Peaked in 2011, it’s 2017 and They’re Still Declining

After the opioid prescription volume peaked in 2011, many factors accounted for the decrease in opioid prescriptions. Survey findings showed the main reason for doctors cutting back (22%) was “too many hassles and risks involved” and “improved understanding of the risks of opioids.”

Also, 69% of 3,000 doctors surveyed, reduced or stopped opioid and painkiller prescriptions, up from 60% the previous year.

The largest drop in opioid prescriptions in 25 years came in 2017, a decreased of 12%.

These surveys help us learn that doctors understanding the risk of opioids was able to slow prescriptions and ultimately help fight the epidemic.

Unfortunately, even with all efforts to curb the national opioid epidemic, death rates are still on the rise. If you or a loved one is addicted please reach out before it is too late.

The epidemic has lead to the formation of many outpatient opioid rehab clinics, such as Addiction Outreach Clinic.

To learn more about the recent cutbacks in opioid prescriptions please visit FierceHealth’s post here.

The Drug Addiction Specialists at Addiction Outreach Clinic are Here to Help

Whether treatment is for you, a family member or a friend, we are happy to speak with you about our outpatient drug treatment program, and how AOC can help patients with their opioid addiction recovery. Since 2007, AOC has helped thousands of patients on their path to recovery.

Please read more about AOC, or call us at 330-259-4849, or email to schedule an appointment – it’s fast, easy and confidential.