BALTIMORE, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ — Findings from a new national
survey, sponsored by the American Pain Foundation, reveal
misperceptions among physicians regarding the misuse and abuse of
opioids. The results come in light of government statistics to be
released today looking at the broader U.S. population, showing 2009
rates of nonmedical use of these products nationwide.(1)
According to the survey of physicians, a majority (56%) believe
that only a small number of their patients misuse or abuse opioids
obtained from a prescription.(2) In addition, more than half (52%)
believe that the majority of cases of opioid abuse do not involve
tampering with the medication’s delivery system.(2) However, other
published data show that 80% of prescription medication abusers
seeking treatment chew, snort or use intravenous administration of
oral medicines to attain an immediate high.(3), (4)
While 2009 numbers will be released today,(1) Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) statistics from
2008 show that 35 million Americans aged 12 and older reported
nonmedical use of prescription opioids during his or her
lifetime.(5)
“Results from both surveys illustrate the need for improved
health care professional and public education about appropriate
opioid prescribing and safe use to help encourage responsible pain
management,” stated Will Rowe, Chief Executive Officer of the
American Pain Foundation, a co-sponsor of the survey. “With over
76.5 million Americans struggling with pain, alleviating pain
remains a medical imperative; however, it must be balanced with
measures to address the misuse and abuse of prescription pain
medication.”
Additional findings from the survey reveal that physicians are
acutely aware of the dangers of opioid misuse and abuse, and that
the majority (87%) agree that most recreational users obtain these
products from a legitimate prescription.(2) However, 41% of
physicians surveyed personally do no
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