Understanding the Epidemic

When the Prescription Becomes the Problem

In a period of nine months, a tiny Kentucky county of fewer than 12,000 people sees a 53-year-old mother, her 35-year-old son, and seven others die by overdosing on prescription painkillers obtained from pain clinics in Florida.1 In Utah, a 13-year-old fatally overdoses on oxycodone pills taken from a friend’s grandmother.2 A 20-year-old Boston man dies from an overdose of methadone, only a year after his friend also died from a prescription painkiller overdose.3

These are not isolated events. Each day, 44 people in the United States die from overdose of prescription painkillers.

Prescription Painkiller Abuse, Overdose, and Death

A big part of the overdose problem results from prescription painkillers called opioids. These prescription painkillers can be used to treat moderate-to-severe pain and are often prescribed following a surgery, injury, or for health conditions such as cancer. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the acceptance and use of prescription opioids for the treatment of chronic, non-cancer pain, such as back pain or osteoarthritis. The most common drugs involved in prescription overdose deaths include:

Hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin)
Oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin)
Oxymorphone (e.g., Opana)
Methadone (especially when prescribed for pain)

Prescription painkiller overdose deaths also often involve benzodiazepines. People who take prescription painkillers can become addicted with just one prescription. Once addicted, it can be hard to stop. In 2013, nearly two million Americans abused prescription painkillers. Each day, almost 7,000 people are treated in emergency departments for using these drugs in a manner other than as directed.

Taking too many prescription painkillers can stop a person’s breathing—leading to death.

The Solutions

Safe Prescribing Practices

Problematic prescribing practices are a leading contributor to epidemic. Safe and informed prescribing practices and instituting sensible prescribing guidelines can help stop it.

State Policies

Cities and states across the country have taken steps to improve painkiller prescribing and prevent prescription misuse, abuse, and overdose. These efforts include regulating pain clinics, using systems to identify fraudulent prescriptions, and improving access to naloxone—the antidote to opioid overdose. Additionally, states can take steps to improve prescribing practices in public insurance programs, like Medicaid or Workers Compensation programs.

Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs

Use of state prescription drug monitoring programs gives health care providers information to improve patient safety and protect patients. At the same time, they preserve patient access to safe and effective pain treatment.

Definitions

Overdose: When a drug is swallowed, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through the skin in excessive amounts and injures the body. Overdoses are either intentional or unintentional. If the person taking or giving a substance did not mean to hurt themselves or others, then it is unintentional.

Misuse: The use of prescription drugs in a manner other than as directed.

Abuse: Continued use of illicit or prescription drugs despite problems from drug use with relationships, work, school, health, or safety. People with substance abuse often experience loss of control and take drugs in larger amounts or for longer than they intended.

Naloxone: A prescription drug that can reverse an opioid or heroin overdose if administered in time.