Millennials choose lifestyle changes over opioids — 6 key notes

A survey, conducted by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, said millennials are changing their lifestyles instead of using opioids to manage chronic pain, Science Daily reports.

Researchers administered a 10-question survey to 1,011 adults. Thirty-four percent were millenials, 25 percent were Gen Xers, 35 percent were baby boomers and 6 percent were from the silent generation.

Here's what you should know:

1. Exercising, eating right, quitting smoking and losing weight were the most popular options millennials relied on for managing pain.

2. When comparing millennials to baby boomers, millennials were half as likely to use opioids for pain. 20 percent of millennials who turned to opioids regretted the decision.

3. However, 10 percent of millennials indicated they obtained opioids illegally, compared to 3 percent of Gen Xers and 1 percent of baby boomers.

4. Thirty percent of millennials said it was okay to use opioids without a prescription compared to 20 percent of Gen Xers, 12 percent of baby boomers and 3 percent of the silent generation.

5. Millennials were less likely to dispose of opioids properly. Twenty percent of respondents didn't know the right way to dispose of opioids.

6. Seventy-five percent of millennials indicated they had acute pain, while 60 percent indicated experiencing chronic pain.

ASA President Jeffrey Plagenhoef, MD, said, "It's encouraging that millennials see the value of opting for safer and often more effective methods of managing pain. But clearly they are in need of further education when it comes to opioids and chronic pain because using the drugs initially to treat pain can turn into a lifelong struggle with addiction."

More articles on quality:
OptumRx reduced opioid dosage by 14%: Here's how
Immuron begins clinical study for C. diff infection treatment — 5 things to know
New HHS pain management task force seeks nominations — 4 key notes 

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