Whether it’s painkillers or heroin, we’re still in an opioid epidemic - The Incidental Economist http://blog.academyhealth.org/whether...
AHnix (Anna Haro),
Michael W. May,
piikummitus,
WoH: Professor MOTHRA,
Anne Bouey,
Maitani,
Jenny H.,
Steven Perez,
Eivind,
and
WarLord
liked this
"As prescriptions for opioid painkillers have leveled off, heroin use has increased."
- Victor Ganata
"The forgoing evidence suggests that policy interventions may have had their intended impact, though we can’t prove that. The authors wrote, for instance, that 'studies show that the introduction of a less desirable formulation of oxycodone can rapidly decrease demand for that formulation.' At the same time, they may have encouraged substitution of heroin for opioid painkillers, which certainly is not their intent." #UnintendedConsequences
- Victor Ganata
Does this then give us the 'natural level' of ppl who will use opioids if available? And if so, is policy always going to fail? Edit: if not opioids, is it something else?
- WoH: Professor MOTHRA
I am starting to believe there is something about our lifestyles and our culture that causes physical pain and drives a lot of people to use opioids.
- Victor Ganata
Poor diet and lack of exercise?
- Brent Schaus
Financial stress, long work days and work weeks, resultant sleep deprivation, a culture that tends to see acknowledging pain as weakness that deserves disdain. Those sorts of things.
- Victor Ganata
It would be interesting to see if there are significant differences in opioid among the industrialized nations.
- Victor Ganata
Why "epidemic" instead of "glut"?
- Andrew C (✔)
I remember a few research papers (using both rats and humans for tests) that show how addicts leave their addiction as their stress levels decrease. Yes, including an opioid addiction. I suppose that some percent of population is just stressed enough as not to see a better escape than a piece of chemical happiness. So the efforts should not be directed at preventing people from getting their fix, but rather on making them not need it.
- 9000