Physicians Struggle to Treat Pain During Opioid Abuse Epidemic

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention report earlier this month shed light on the epidemic of prescription drug abuse, and physicians are struggling to treat pain compassionately while avoiding misuse, according to an American Medical News report.

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The report found 4.8 percent of Americans had used prescription painkillers for non-medical reasons. Some physicians have taken to reviewing each patient’s medical and prescription drug records, requesting an x-ray to assess the source of pain and giving a urine drug screen to identify illegal substances in order to prevent over-prescription and abuse.

Related Articles on Prescription Drugs Abuse:
American Pain Society Supports CDC’s Attention to Prescription Drug Misuse
Bob Twillman Calls for End to Opioid Overdose Epidemic
Native American and Mixed-Race Youth More Likely to Abuse Controlled Substances

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