Use of prescription pain medication emerges as a concern at CAMH

Prescription pain relievers are an important therapeutic option in the treatment of persistent pain. But, many have the potential for abuse. Existing research suggests that misuse of prescription pain medication may be a common form of illicit opioid use in Canada; previous CAMH statistics show that codeine and oxycodone are commonly abused prescription drugs.

Now, new research from CAMH, published in January’s Canadian Family Physician, shows a dramatic increase in the number of people seeking detoxification treatment for opioid dependence. The cause of this increase is the use of prescription pain medication, not heroin.

Led by Dr. Beth Sproule, advanced practice pharmacist and clinician scientist at CAMH, the study found individuals seeking treatment for OxyContin® misuse increased steadily from fewer than 4 percent to 55 percent.  This increase was noted over a five-year period, based on data from people coming to CAMH’s Medical Withdrawal Service for the treatment of opioid dependence.

The study also revealed that the majority of people seeking medically assisted opioid detoxification at CAMH received pain medication by prescription from a doctor. A smaller number identified purchasing it on the street or obtaining it both by prescription and on the street. A very small number of people identified receiving pain medication from friends and family. Though pain medications are available by prescription and are slowly released into the body, many people who misuse these substances crush or chew them, eliminating the time-release properties. Another issue with this type of drug use is the problem of multiple substance use.

According to Dr. Sproule, the challenge for health care providers is to be aware of the issues to be able to detect possible problems, while continuing to provide pain treatment to those who need it.

For more information, view a copy of CAMH’s press release on this topic. Or, visit Changing patterns in opioid addiction: Characterizing users of oxycodone and other opioids -- Sproule et al. 55 (1): 68 -- Canadian Family Physician on the Canadian Family Physician  web site for a copy of published article. 

 

 

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