Around 3% of people prescribed opioids end up as sustained users

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-08-11 10:00

Australia; NSW

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Most people who start treatment with prescription opioids only take them for a short period of time and use low amounts over a 5-year period, according to Australian research, which found that around 3% of people end up using them on an ongoing basis. The study identified five paths that people prescribed opioids tend to take: very low use (75.4%), low use (16.6%), moderate decreasing to low use (2.6%), low increasing to moderate use (2.6%), and sustained use (2.8%). The small group with sustained or increasing use tended to have greater clinical complexity and treatment needs. The authors say understanding the characteristics of people who are likely to use more opioids could help doctors better monitor people, prevent abuse, and target interventions where they are most likely to be beneficial.

Media release

From: JAMA

Five-Year Trajectories of Prescription Opioid Use

JAMA Network Open
Original Investigation

About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is an online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication.

About The Study: The results of this study of 3.4 million adults suggest that most individuals commencing treatment with prescription opioids had relatively low and time-limited exposure to opioids over a 5-year period. The small proportion of individuals with sustained or increasing use was older with more comorbidities and use of psychotropic and other analgesic drugs, likely reflecting a higher prevalence of pain and treatment needs in these individuals.

Authors: Natasa Gisev, Ph.D., of UNSW Sydney in Sydney, Australia, is the corresponding author.

(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.28159)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: The University of New South Wales, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), The University of Sydney, University of Wollongong

Funder: This work was supported by project grant 1138442 from the NHMRC. The NDARC at UNSW Sydney is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the Drug and Alcohol Program.

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